Recognize and report scams
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How to Recognize and Report Scams

Michael

Dear NYCHA Resident, 

At NYCHA, your safety and security are important to us. In support of that, I’d like to share some tips and guidelines for protecting yourself and your personal information and avoiding potential scams. 

Identifying Official NYCHA Representatives and Communications  

Anytime a NYCHA employee or vendor comes to your door for any reason, including to complete repairs, they must show you their official ID. NYCHA ID cards should have an authorization sticker for the current year, in addition to the employee’s name and photograph. If someone tries to gain access to your home without presenting an ID, call 911 immediately. 

Additionally, be wary of any unusual requests for payment, including via texts or emails. There is no circumstance where paying a fee would be required for you to obtain placement on a waitlist or to be connected to NYCHA services. NYCHA will not contact you via text or email to request payment through an app or other non-official method. Real letters and communications from NYCHA will be on NYCHA letterhead, and emails will be from an “@nycha.nyc.gov” email address. NYCHA will always direct you to a secure government site to make online payments for rent or other payments. So, it’s important to check email and website addresses carefully. If you receive any notification or request that seems suspicious, please contact the NYC Department of Investigation’s NYCHA Inspector General at ig@nycha.nyc.gov or 212-306-3355. 

Cyber Safety 

Both in regard to your NYCHA tenancy and beyond, to stay safe in the digital world you should: 

  • Be careful when clicking on links in emails or opening attachments. 
  • Avoid sharing personal details such as your full name or Social Security number on websites, with strangers online, or via email.  
  • Ignore friend/connection requests from people you don’t know. 
  • Review your online privacy settings regularly, keep your smartphone software up to date, and use strong passwords. 
  • Get the free NYC Secure app (https://secure.nyc) to help protect your phone from cyber threats. 
  • Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. 

How to Report Something Suspicious 

If you see anything that seems fraudulent or illegal at NYCHA, please report it by calling the NYC Department of Investigation’s Inspector General Hotline at 212-306-3355 or emailing ig@nycha.nyc.gov or NYCHAOIG@doi.nyc.gov.  

NYCHA, in partnership with our government partners, is committed to protecting you from scams, fraud, and any other malfeasance. For more information about how to recognize and avoid scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.  

Sincerely, 

Eva Trimble, Chief Operating Officer