Consumer Protection in New York
This page covers consumer protection as it applies in New York — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what consumer protection protects generally, see the national overview.
Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this
Quick answer
New York's consumer protection laws shield you from deceptive business practices, false advertising, abusive debt collection, and inaccurate credit reporting. If a business has misled or cheated you, you can file a free complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection or the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and in many cases you can also sue in court. Some lawsuit deadlines are as short as one year from the date of the violation, so gather your records and act quickly.
Laws that govern consumer protection in New York
New York state law
- Consumer Protection from Deceptive Acts and PracticesN.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 349–350 (Article 22-A)
Prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and false advertising in any business in New York, and gives consumers the right to sue and recover damages without going through a government agency.
- New Car Lemon LawN.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-a
Requires manufacturers to replace or fully refund new vehicles that cannot be repaired within the first 2 years or 18,000 miles and provides access to free state-run arbitration.
- Used Car Lemon LawN.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-b
Requires New York dealers to provide a written warranty on used cars and to repair covered defects at no charge to the buyer within the warranty period.
- New York Fair Credit Reporting ActN.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 380 et seq. (Article 25)
Regulates how consumer credit information is collected, used, and disputed in New York, adding state-level protections on top of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- Consumer Credit Fairness ActN.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-i
Limits debt collectors to a three-year window to sue consumers for unpaid consumer debts and bars any activity on a debt from restarting the clock once it has expired.
Federal law
- Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914
Federal law that established the Federal Trade Commission and prohibits "unfair methods of competition" and "unfair or deceptive acts or practices." Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58.
- Truth in Lending Act
Federal law designed to protect consumers in their dealings with lenders and creditors by requiring meaningful disclosure of credit terms. Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601 et seq.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
New York-specific deadlines for consumer protection cases
Enter the date your problem happened to see which deadlines may already have passed. Not every deadline applies to every situation — this is a general estimate, not legal advice. Deadlines can be shorter, paused, or extended.
- Lawsuit for deceptive acts or false advertising (General Business Law §§ 349–350): 3 years
The three-year clock begins on the date you were injured by the deceptive practice, not on the date you discovered it. After three years you generally cannot bring a private lawsuit under GBL § 349 or § 350.
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(2)
- Debt collector's right to sue you over consumer debt (Consumer Credit Fairness Act): 3 years
A debt collector may not file a lawsuit against you to collect a consumer debt—such as credit card or medical debt—more than three years after the debt went into default. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt after the three years have run does not restart the clock.
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-i
- Your lawsuit against a debt collector for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: 1 year
If a debt collector breaks the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have one year from the date of each violation to file a lawsuit. Each separate illegal act starts its own one-year clock.
15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d)
- Lawsuit for errors on your credit report (Fair Credit Reporting Act): 2 years from discovery, or 5 years from the violation (whichever is earlier)
You must file suit within two years of discovering the error, but never more than five years after the violation itself occurred. If you never discover the violation, the five-year outer limit applies.
15 U.S.C. § 1681p
- Lemon law claim for a new car or motor home: 4 years from original delivery
The defect must first appear within the first 2 years or 18,000 miles of delivery, whichever comes first. The outer deadline to request arbitration or file a lawsuit is four years from the original delivery date.
N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-a
- Lemon law claim for a used car: 4 years from original delivery
The defect must occur during the dealer's written warranty period. The outer deadline to file a claim is four years from the date of original delivery.
N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-b
These deadlines are general estimates. They can be shorter than they appear, and can be paused (“tolled”) or extended in specific situations. This is not legal advice. If any deadline is near or has passed, talk to a lawyer right away.
Where to go & how to get help
Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for consumer protection in New York.
- Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal agency that enforces consumer protection laws nationwide and accepts complaints about fraud, scams, identity theft, and deceptive business practices.
A unit of the New York State Department of State that receives complaints, mediates consumer disputes, runs an identity-theft prevention program, and publishes consumer alerts; complaints may be filed online or by calling (800) 697-1220.
- Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal agency that enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and accepts consumer fraud complaints through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal enforcement agency for the Federal Trade Commission Act; accepts consumer complaints about deceptive advertising, identity theft, and scams through its online complaint portal.
Investigates and sues businesses for widespread fraud or deceptive practices, mediates individual consumer complaints, and administers the free New York State Lemon Law Arbitration Program; call 1-800-771-7755.
Federal agency enforcing laws on credit reports, mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and debt collection; accepts free consumer complaints online.
- LawHelpNYlegal aid
A free statewide directory that connects New Yorkers with nonprofit legal aid organizations handling consumer debt, credit reporting errors, identity theft, and other consumer law problems.
Connects consumers with private attorneys in their area; referrals are free and initial consultations cost $35 for 30 minutes; call 1-800-342-3661.
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.
How to take action in New York
- 1
Document everything
Save receipts, contracts, advertisements, emails, and texts related to the dispute. Write a dated timeline of what happened so you have a clear record.
- 2
Contact the business in writing
Send a dated letter or email asking for a specific remedy such as a refund or correction. A written demand creates a record that strengthens any complaint or lawsuit you file later.
- 3
File a free complaint with a state agency
Submit a complaint online at dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection (New York State Division of Consumer Protection) or ag.ny.gov (Office of the New York State Attorney General). Both agencies can mediate disputes and take enforcement action against businesses.
- 4
Check your credit report for errors
Order a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site federally authorized for free reports. Dispute any inaccuracies directly with the credit reporting agency, which must investigate within 30 days.
- 5
Know your rights if a debt collector contacts you
Federal and New York law limit when and how collectors may contact you. You can send a written request demanding they verify the debt or stop contacting you, and they must generally comply.
- 6
Consult a lawyer before the deadline passes
Some claims expire as soon as one year from the violation date. Free legal help is available through organizations listed at LawHelpNY.org; a private attorney referral costs only $35 for a half-hour consultation through the New York State Bar Association.
A general roadmap, not legal advice — the right steps depend on your situation and deadlines.
Common questions about consumer protection in New York
What counts as a deceptive act or practice under New York law?
Under New York General Business Law § 349, a deceptive act or practice is one that is misleading in a material way and that affects ordinary consumers—not just one person. Examples include false claims about a product's features, hidden fees, and bait-and-switch advertising. The law applies to virtually every business operating in New York, from retailers to service providers.
Can I sue a business myself for a deceptive practice?
Yes. New York General Business Law § 349 gives individual consumers the right to sue in court without going through a government agency. If you win, you can recover your actual losses, a minimum of $50 in damages (up to $1,000 if the business acted intentionally), and possibly attorney's fees. For smaller amounts, small claims court is an accessible option.
What are my rights if a debt collector is calling me?
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1692 et seq.) prohibits collectors from calling at unreasonable hours, using abusive language, making false statements, or threatening actions they cannot legally take. You can send a written request demanding the collector verify the debt or stop all contact, and they must generally comply. If a collector violates the law, you can sue within one year of the violation.
What can I do if my credit report has wrong information?
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information directly with the credit reporting agency—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. The agency must investigate your dispute and correct or delete inaccurate information, generally within 30 days. New York's General Business Law Article 25 provides additional state-level protections for credit information.
My new car keeps breaking down—does New York have a lemon law?
Yes. New York's New Car Lemon Law (General Business Law § 198-a) protects buyers and lessees of new vehicles that a dealer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts within the first 2 years or 18,000 miles. If your car qualifies, you may receive a full refund or a comparable replacement. The Office of the New York State Attorney General runs a free lemon law arbitration program.
Is there a cost to file a consumer complaint with the state?
No. Filing a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection or the Office of the New York State Attorney General is free. These agencies try to mediate individual disputes and, when a business has harmed many consumers, may take legal action that benefits everyone affected.
What happens if the business ignores my complaint?
If a state agency cannot resolve your complaint through mediation, you still have the option to sue the business in court under New York General Business Law § 349 or other applicable laws. A consumer protection attorney may take your case on contingency—meaning no upfront fee—because the law allows the winning party to recover attorney's fees from the business.
Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.