NEWYORK: Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State agencies secured over $237.7 million in recoveries and restitution for consumers in 2025, building on the Governor’s efforts to strengthen consumer protections and put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets.
The New York State Department of Financial Services, Department of Public Service, Department of Labor and the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection helped thousands of New Yorkers and returned meaningful relief through enforcement, complaint resolution and oversight of consumer issues statewide.
“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.
“Through strong enforcement by our state agencies, we’ve advanced fairness, transparency, and consumer protections to put New Yorkers first.”
In 2025, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) worked to resolve a record 51,000 complaints from New Yorkers. DFS staff worked directly with consumers to resolve disputes, investigate claim denials and hold financial institutions accountable.
“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,” said New York State Department of Financial Services Acting Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow.
In 2025, the Department of Public Service (DPS) held more than 97 public statement hearings and meetings, attended by thousands of New Yorkers, and received 41,871 public comments in hundreds of proceedings that played a key role in decision-making. The Public Service Commission issued 758 orders, and the DPS fielded 75,000 customer contacts and filed 51,203 public documents. The DPS participated in 181 outreach events.
Additionally, the DPS’s Office of Consumer Services returned $22.8 million to customers who filed complaints against utilities, an increase of 75 percent from 2024.
The Public Service Commission also reported $28.9 million in financial penalties against five utilities for failing to meet 2024 customer service standards. The Commission secured $14.3 million cumulatively from utility shareholders in enforcement proceedings against utilities that violated the Public Service Law, orders, or regulations.
“Protecting New York’s utility consumers is at the core of the Department of Public Service’s mission and I am proud of the strong enforcement actions and oversight our team delivers every day. From holding companies accountable to ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable service, our work reflects an unwavering commitment to fairness and transparency,” said New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian.
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) recovered over $35 million in lost wages and collected $2.2 million in penalties from wage theft-related cases in 2025.
The funds were recovered from more than 5,000 employers and represent the highest annual amount since 2015. Since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, NYSDOL has recovered and returned more than $130 million to nearly 125,000 workers.
