Consumer Card | Photo by Nathana Reboucas on Unsplash
ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State agencies secured more than $237.7 million in recoveries and restitution for consumers in 2025, marking one of the strongest years on record for statewide consumer protection efforts. The announcement, released on April 23, 2026, highlights the combined work of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Department of Public Service (DPS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Division of Consumer Protection.
“New York State has taken decisive action to protect consumers and keep affordability front and center using every tool available to deliver real results to hardworking families,” Governor Hochul said in the official statement. “Through strong enforcement by our state agencies, we’ve advanced fairness, transparency, and consumer protections to put New Yorkers first.”
Financial Services Leads With $134 Million Returned
The Department of Financial Services accounted for the largest share of recoveries, returning $134 million to consumers and health‑care providers. DFS resolved a record 51,000 complaints in 2025, involving disputes with banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions.
DFS Acting Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow said the agency’s mission remains focused on equity and accountability. “DFS works every day to ensure access to quality and affordable financial services, protect against fraud and abuse, and secure restitution when a consumer is harmed. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership we will continue to build a more equitable and affordable financial system that serves all New Yorkers.”
Public Service Commission Helps 75,000 Residents, Secures Millions in Penalties
The Public Service Commission assisted more than 75,000 New Yorkers with utility‑related complaints in 2025, returning $22.8 million directly to consumers. The PSC also collected $28.9 million in financial penalties from five utilities that failed to meet customer‑service standards, along with an additional $14.3 million from utility shareholders in enforcement actions.
DPS held 97 public hearings and meetings throughout the year, gathering nearly 42,000 public comments that shaped regulatory decisions affecting energy, telecommunications, and water services.
Labor Department Recovers Record Wage Theft Amounts
The Department of Labor recovered more than $35 million in stolen wages from over 5,000 employers, the highest annual total since 2015. The agency also collected $2.2 million in penalties, reflecting strengthened enforcement under the state’s Wage Theft Accountability Act.
Governor Hochul’s FY 2026–27 budget proposal includes $5 million in new annual funding to help district attorneys—particularly in rural counties—pursue criminal wage‑theft cases.
Consumer Protection Division Assists 27,000 Residents
The Division of Consumer Protection helped more than 27,000 New Yorkers resolve issues ranging from retail disputes to online fraud, securing nearly $2.7 million in direct restitution. The division also expanded public‑education campaigns on scams, digital privacy, and financial literacy.
State officials emphasized that these recoveries represent not only financial relief but also improved transparency and accountability across industries that affect millions of residents.
A Broader Push for Affordability and Enforcement
Governor Hochul framed the 2025 recovery totals as part of a broader statewide effort to strengthen consumer protections amid rising costs. The administration has expanded enforcement authority, increased staffing in key agencies, and launched new complaint‑resolution tools, including online portals for financial disputes, utility complaints, and wage‑theft reporting.
“We are putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, and we are not slowing down,” Hochul said in the announcement. “Every New Yorker deserves fairness, transparency, and protection from predatory practices.”
How New Yorkers Can Seek Help
Residents seeking assistance with financial services disputes can file complaints through the DFS website or call the state’s consumer hotline. Utility customers can contact the Public Service Commission for billing or service issues. At the same time, workers who believe they have experienced wage theft can report violations through the Department of Labor’s Wage Theft Hub.
State officials say these tools are essential to ensuring that the record‑setting recoveries of 2025 continue into future years.
