Page 8 - QT-09-26

PAGE 8 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026

Attorney General James Demands Transparency from Joint Hearing Spotlights Urgent
GoFundMe on Unauthorized Fundraising Campaigns Higher Education Funding Needs
I n New York
AG James and Coalition Raise In October 2025, GoFundMe Attorney General James and the
Serious Concerns Over 1.4 Mil- reportedly created donation web coalition warn that these practices (Continued from page 7) ongoing investigations by the
lion Donation Pages Created pages for approximately 1.4 mil- may violate state laws that require college, the district, and the State
Without Charities’ Consent lion charities across the United written consent before a third • Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commis- Education Department.
States without first seeking their party may solicit funds in a char- sioner, NYS Education Depart- Hyndman also questioned
New York Attorney General permission. Many charities were ity’s name, as well as laws that ment the State Education Department
Letitia James has joined a biparti- unaware that the pages existed prohibit deceptive or misleading • John B. King Jr., Chancellor, about oversight of out-of-state
san coalition of 19 other attorneys until after they were published conduct in charitable fundraising. SUNY institutions operating in New
general and charitable regulators and subsequently raised concerns GoFundMe has acknowl- • Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, York, citing the Northeastern Uni-
in sending a letter to GoFundMe about misuse of their names and edged that creating fundraising Chancellor, CUNY versity–Marymount Manhattan
raising grave concerns about the logos, inaccurate descriptions of webpages for charities without • Doris B. González, President, College merger. Officials outlined
company’s creation of more than their work, and confusion among consent was wrong and commit- Higher Education Services Cor- the accreditation, financial, and
1.4 million donation web pages donors. Some organizations re- ted to taking corrective actions, poration regulatory standards required for
for charities without their prior ported that they were unable to including the removal of all pla- SUNY Chancellor King high- approval of new programs.
knowledge or consent. Attorney control how their identities and giarized pages. With this letter, lighted three consecutive years of A Call for Sustained Investment
General James and the coalition missions were presented, creating the coalition is following up on enrollment growth and stressed As New York navigates eco-
warn that these actions may have a risk of misrepresentation and GoFundMe’s promises to demand that continued state support is “es- nomic pressures, Hyndman
violated state charitable solicita- donor confusion. that the company provide proof sential to this progress.” CUNY stressed that transparency and
tion and consumer protection In their letter, Attorney General that all unauthorized donation Chancellor Matos Rodríguez long-term investment remain
laws, and the coalition has secured James and the coalition note that pages have been removed and praised the Legislature’s commit- essential to maintaining strong
a guarantee from GoFundMe that some pages promoted incorrect confirm that prior written con- ment to upward mobility, noting public and private higher educa-
the company will remove all pages charity information and failed to sent is now required before any that CUNY “has long been a force tion systems.
created without authorization. clearly disclose when donations charity donation page is created. for lifting New York.” “Ensuring students are not left
The coalition is now demand- were routed through a donor- They are also seeking a detailed Student leaders also raised behind means making sustained
ing immediate confirmation advised fund rather than sent explanation of the company’s concerns about barriers such as investments in affordability, aca-
and proof that GoFundMe has directly to the featured charity. takedown procedures and clarifi- transportation costs, food in- demic quality, and student sup-
removed the unauthorized pages, In certain cases, the overall pre- cation of how it has modified its security, homelessness, mental port services,” she said. “When
changed its practices, and taken sentation of the pages may have SEO practices to ensure charities health needs, and aging campus we invest in higher education, we
meaningful steps to protect chari- given donors the impression that are not disadvantaged. The states infrastructure. Akkeem Polack, invest in people and the economic
ties and donors. the fundraising campaigns were have requested a formal response Chairperson of the CUNY Uni- strength and social mobility of
“When Americans open their operated by or directly affiliated within 14 days, with additional versity Student Senate, called ac- our state.”
wallets to support a charity, they with the named charities when investigative steps to follow if cess “the defining issue for higher About Assemblywoman
deserve to know exactly where they were not. GoFundMe also necessary. education right now.” Hyndman
their money is going,” said Attor- reportedly applied a default “tip” Joining Attorney General Oversight Questions and Ac- Assemblywoman Alicia L.
ney General James. “By creating of approximately 16.5 percent to James in this letter are the at- countability Hyndman represents Assembly
fundraising pages in charities’ contributions, with that money go- torneys general of California, Chair Hyndman pressed CUNY District 29 and serves as Chair
names without their knowledge ing directly to the company rather Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, officials on Title VI compliance of the Assembly Committee on
or consent, GoFundMe misled than the charity. In addition, the Massachusetts, Michigan, Min- following an incident at Hunter Higher Education. Her work
donors and put public trust in company used search engine nesota, New Hampshire, New College involving alleged racist focuses on expanding access to
charitable giving at risk. We are optimization (SEO) practices Jersey, New Mexico, North Caro- remarks by an assistant professor. quality higher education, support-
demanding clear answers and that may have caused its pages to lina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn- CUNY representatives described ing adult learners, and ensuring
meaningful reforms to ensure appear above official charity web- sylvania, Vermont, Washington, the comments as “clearly offensive students who study in New York
charities control their own fun- sites, potentially diverting donors and Wisconsin and the charitable and abhorrent” and confirmed can build careers in New York.
draising and donors are fully away from legitimate fundraising regulatory agencies of South
informed.” efforts. Carolina and Tennessee. Meng And Lieu Lead Letter
New York City Unveils Nation’s Strongest Rules to Protect Urging State Department To Bring
Consumers From Predatory Debt Collection Back Americans Stuck In Middle East

New York City has introduced Consumer Financial Protection Consumer advocates praised the
what officials are calling the Bureau, New Yorkers filed more move, noting that many families (Continued from page 6 to do so,” said Meng, “The State
toughest consumer protection than three times as many com- are just one medical emergency Department needs to step up and
rules in the country, aimed square- plaints about aggressive debt away from financial crisis. advised Americans in 15 Middle help them. Three days after the
ly at curbing harassment and abu- collector contact in late 2024 Strong Support From Consumer East countries and territories to war began, the Department says
sive tactics by debt collectors. The compared to 2021. Advocates leave due to serious safety risks, it’s finally working on it. But it
new Stopping Harassment and Expanded Rights to Dispute Organizations across the city and the agency has instructed should have already had a plan in
Intimidation and Ensuring Lawful and Verify Debts and nation applauded the SHIELD them to depart using commercial place, and now must immediately
Debt Collection (SHIELD) Rule— The SHIELD Rule gives con- Rule, calling it a model for other transportation. But with airlines come up with one to evacuate
announced by the Department of sumers powerful new tools to jurisdictions. cancelling commercial flights these stranded Americans, just
Consumer and Worker Protection challenge debts: • Consumer Reports said the out of the region, and airports like other countries are doing
(DCWP)—creates sweeping new • Dispute Anytime: New Yorkers rule “imposes strict requirements there closed, most Americans are for their citizens. This needs to
rights for consumers and imposes can dispute a debt at any point in for verification of all debts” and unable to book a trip home. The happen at once and I urge the
strict limits on how collectors can the collection process, using any ensures fair treatment. State Department has announced State Department to act as fast as
operate. communication method already in • The Legal Aid Society called charter flights from just three of possible.”
The rule, which takes effect use with the collector. the protections “essential to de- the countries on the list. “The Trump Administration
September 1, 2026, goes beyond • Mandatory Verification: Col- fending our clients from abusive The letter to Rubio, which is has totally failed at planning
federal law by allowing New lectors must provide documenta- practices.” signed by 61 Members of Con- how they were going to keep
Yorkers to dispute debts at any tion proving the debt within 60 • The National Consumers gress (including Meng and Lieu), Americans caught in this conflict
time, sharply restricting commu- days of a request. If they fail to League said the rule “sets a na- calls for charter flights, military safe and get them out of harm’s
nication attempts, and establishing do so, they must issue a Notice tional standard” for consumer operations and all other resources way,” said Lieu. “The State De-
unprecedented protections for of Unverified Debt, and third protection. at the State Department’s disposal partment has a responsibility to
people facing medical debt. party collectors lose the right to Many groups highlighted how to be used to bring Americans help Americans get home but
“The SHIELD Rule protects New continue pursuing it. aggressive debt collection dispro- back to the U.S. safely and quick- has so far come up short, leaving
Yorkers from harassment, arms Advocates say these require- portionately harms low-income ly. It also asks the Department to United States citizens to fend for
them with new rights to dispute ments will prevent collectors from communities and communities issue updated guidance including themselves. That’s outrageous.
debts, and cracks down on col- pursuing debts that are inaccurate, of color. making sure Americans know Secretary Rubio and the Trump
lecting illegal medical debt,” outdated, or not owed at all. How the Rule Was Developed what expenses they are respon- Administration must do every-
said DCWP Commissioner Sam First-of-its-Kind Protections for DCWP crafted the SHIELD sible for in the case of evacuation. thing in their power to safely
Levine. Medical Debt Rule after extensive feedback In addition, the correspondence evacuate Americans NOW.”
New Limits on Contact and Medical debt—one of the from the debt collection industry, criticizes the Administration for Meng serves as a member of
Harassment fastest-growing financial burdens financial institutions, and con- failing to have an evacuation plan the House Appropriations Sub-
Under the new rule, debt col- for New Yorkers—receives spe- sumer advocates. The rule applies already in place. committee on National Security,
lectors will be limited to three cial attention under the new rule. not only to third party collectors “So many Americans want Department of State and Related
contact attempts within seven Collectors working on behalf of but also to original creditors, in- to desperately return home from Programs which funds the State
days, a major reduction intended hospitals must inform consumers cluding hospitals and financial in- the Middle East but are unable Department.
to stop the barrage of calls, texts, about the hospital’s financial as- stitutions, when they collect their
and emails that many New Yorkers sistance programs at every stage own debts. However, institutions
report experiencing. of the collection process, ensuring covered by the Fair Credit Bill-
Complaints about excessive patients know about options that ing Act are exempt from certain Visit Our Website: www.queenstimes.com
communication have surged in could reduce or eliminate their
recent years. According to the bills. (Continued on page 9)