Page 9 - QT CURRENT EDITION #28

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

Attorney General James Takes Action to Uphold Federal AG James Urges New Yorkers to Use
Ghost Gun Regulations Free Credit Monitoring and Identity

Attorney General Letitia James (ATF) issued a Final Rule in 2022, California, Colorado, Connecti- Theft Protection Services in Aftermath
joined a coalition of 24 attorneys that clarifies the definition of cut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, of Change Healthcare Cyberattack
general in urging the United “firearms” in the Gun Control Act Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
States Supreme Court to uphold of 1968 (GCA), to include kits and Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Cyberattack on Change Health- for two years. Consumers can en-
a federal rule that regulates ghost parts that can be easily converted New Jersey, North Carolina, Or- care’s Systems Affected Millions roll in free credit monitoring and
guns—untraceable weapons often to fully-functional firearms. The egon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, of Patients and Providers Na- identity protection services online
made at home from kits—like Final Rule does not ban gun kits, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, tionwide or by calling 1-866-262-5342.
other firearms. The coalition but it subjects gun kits and nearly- the District of Colombia, and the Consumers should be aware
filed an amicus brief in Garland complete guns to the same rules Northern Mariana Islands. New York Attorney General of potential warning signs that
v. VanDerStok, urging the court as conventionally manufactured Attorney General James has Letitia James issued a consumer someone is using their medical
to reverse a decision by an appeals guns, including serial number and been a leader in the fight to pro- alert to raise awareness about free information. These signs include:
court overturning this common- background check requirements. tect New Yorkers and communi- credit monitoring and identity • Bills for medical services they
sense gun safety rule. In the brief, The commonsense rule was struck ties across the nation from gun theft protection services available did not receive.
Attorney General James and the down by the Court of Appeals for violence. In May 2024, Attorney for millions of consumers im- • Errors in their Explanation of
coalition argue that the rule clari- the Fifth Circuit, ruling it was an General James joined a coalition pacted by the Change Healthcare Benefits statement, such as charg-
fies existing law, is necessary to impermissible expansion of the of attorneys general in urging the data breach. In February, Change es for services never received or
prevent gun violence, and helps GCA, though the U.S. Supreme U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Healthcare, which operates the prescriptions not taken.
law enforcement solve serious Court allowed the Final Rule to Circuit to allow Massachusetts’ nation’s largest electronic health • Calls from debt collectors about
crimes. remain in effect while the appeal decades-old ban on the sale and care payment system, experienced medical debts they do not owe.
“Gun safety laws save lives, proceeds. possession of assault weapons a cyberattack that exposed the • Medical debt collection notices
and weakening these measures In the brief, Attorney General and large-capacity ammunition personal information of millions on their credit report that they do
puts Americans in danger,” said James and the coalition of attor- magazines to remain in place. In of patients, including millions of not recognize.
Attorney General James. “Ghost neys general explain that striking March 2024, Attorney General New Yorkers. After the cyberat- • Notices from their health in-
guns are on the rise across the down this federal regulation would James secured a $7.8 million judg- tack, Attorney General James surance company about reaching
country, and stripping away fed- harm public safety and hinder law ment against gun retailer Indie urged UnitedHealth Group. Inc., benefit limits.
eral rules that help regulate these enforcement. The coalition notes Guns for illegally selling ghost the nation’s largest health insurer • Denials of insurance coverage
deadly weapons will cause the that the rule is consistent with gun components in New York. In and the parent company of Change due to inaccurate pre-existing
problem to get worse. I am proud the text, history, and purpose of February 2024, Attorney General Healthcare, to bolster its efforts to conditions.
to stand with my fellow attorneys the GCA and demonstrated that James announced the takedowns protect providers, pharmacies, and If you are concerned about
general as we call for this com- the Fifth Circuit’s decision was of a gun trafficking network that patients harmed by the breach. To- your data but prefer not to use the
monsense gun safety measure to flawed. The coalition argues that sold ghost guns and assault-style day, Change Healthcare is offering free services provided by Change
stay in place, and for more to be the rule is necessary to close a rifles and a narcotics trafficking all New York residents free credit Healthcare, consider freezing
done to protect our communities dangerous perceived loophole and network in Dutchess County. In monitoring and identity theft pro- your credit by calling all three
from senseless gun violence.” stop people who are banned from March 2023, Attorney General tections for two years to safeguard credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax,
As gun violence continues to owning guns from making an end James secured a court order ban- their personal information. and TransUnion. A credit freeze
plague the nation, states are seeing run around existing law—which ning 10 gun distributors from “The disastrous cyberattack prevents banks or lenders from
an increase in the number of un- they could do more easily before selling and shipping ghost gun on Change Healthcare leaked the accessing your credit report. This
traceable, unserialized ghost guns gun kits were subject to the same parts into New York. In December personal information of millions will stop identity thieves from tak-
recovered by law enforcement. To regulations as other firearms. 2022, Attorney General James of Americans and made them ing out new loans or credit cards in
combat the growing problem of Joining Attorney General James announced the takedown of a vulnerable to bad actors,” said consumers’ names because credi-
ghost guns, the Bureau of Alcohol, in filing this amicus brief are the ghost gun trafficking operation in Attorney General James. “While tors will not approve their loans or
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives attorneys general of Arizona, Queens and Westchester counties. UnitedHealth and its subsidiary credit requests if they cannot first
work to address the fallout from access their credit reports. By law,
Next Drop: Nyc Dot Releases Limited Batch Of Authentic the cyberattack, I urge everyone a credit bureau must allow con-
who believes their information sumers to place, temporarily lift,
‘Beastie Boys Square’ Street Signs To Commemorate 35th may have been compromised to or remove a credit freeze for free.
Anniversary Of Paul’s Boutique use the free credit monitoring and When consumers freeze their
identity theft protection services credit with each bureau, the bu-
to protect themselves. Compa- reaus will send them a personal
Beastie Boys Square Sign Drop the album was named for a fic- of special occasions, and other nies should not treat strong data identification number (PIN). The
Coincides With Anniversary of tional clothing store located at the custom releases. NYC DOT began security as an afterthought, it is consumers can then use that PIN
Paul’s Boutique, eleased in July intersection, dubbed Beastie Boys its monthly drops in June, with necessary to protect New York- to unfreeze their credit if they
1989 Square during a ceremonial street the release of Christopher Street/ ers from fraud and my office will want to apply for a loan or credit
co-naming in September 2023. Stonewall Place street signs to continue to ensure companies take card. Consumers can also use the
Lower East Side Intersection “Fans from across the world commemorate Pride Month. The this responsibility seriously.” PIN to freeze their credit again
Was Featured on Album’s Iconic travel to Ludlow and Rivington signs sold out within hours of The cyberattack on Change after they have applied for loans
Cover streets to pay homage to the Beas- their release. Healthcare interrupted health care or a new credit card.
tie Boys and Paul’s Boutique, a About the NYC DOT Sign Shop services at thousands of doctors’ Consumers should call all three
Fans Will Need To “Fight for landmark album that pushed the - The New York City DOT Sign offices, hospitals, and pharmacies credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax,
Their Right” -- and Act Fast -- To boundaries of hip-hop sampling. Shop is in Maspeth, Queens and and leaked Americans’ sensitive and TransUnion to freeze their
Own a Genuine Limited-Edition Now you can own a piece of this manufactures over 70,000 signs health and personal data onto the credit.
Sign; Only 75 Available iconic corner with the Beastie each year. A team of 32 Sign dark web, a hidden portion of the • You can place a credit freeze
Boys Square sign hand-made Shop employees hand-make street internet where cyber criminals with Experian online or by calling
New York City Department by NYC DOT,” said NYC DOT signs, highway signs, directional can buy, sell, and track personal +1 (888) 397-3742.
of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. signs, parking signs, and more. information. Change Healthcare • You can place a credit freeze
Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez “We look forward to our next There are over two million NYC estimates that the data breach with Equifax online or by calling
announced a limited number of monthly sign drop, which allow DOT signs in use across the 6,000 could impact up to one-third of +1 (888) 766-0008.
authentic, commemorative Beas- all who love New York City to miles of streets in New York City. all Americans. • You can place a credit freeze
tie Boys Square street signs are celebrate the people, places, and The monthly sign drops are the Since Change Healthcare has with TransUnion online or by call-
for sale to commemorate the 35th special occasions that make this latest iteration of sign sales that not yet notified affected indi- ing +1 (800) 680-7289.
anniversary of the hip hop group’s the greatest city in the world.” have historically been available viduals, Attorney General James Consumers can report concerns
landmark album Paul’s Boutique. “Our CityStore is a time cap- from the Sign Shop. encourages everyone to use the related to the Change Healthcare
As part of the agency’s monthly sule for all things New York City About the CityStore - CityStore free credit monitoring and identity cyberattack to the Office of the
‘sign drops,’ the Beastie Boys and that includes honoring the in- is the Official store of the City of theft protection services to safe- Attorney General (OAG) by call-
Square signs are hand-made at delible legacy hip-hop has had on New York. CityStore is operated guard their information. These ing 1-800-771-7755 or filing a
the NYC DOT Sign Shop, which shifting culture and connecting by the New York City Department resources will be available for free complaint online.
produces over 70,000 signs each people,” said NYC DCAS Com- of Citywide Administrative Ser-
year. A limited edition of 75 missioner Louis A. Molina. “This vices. 100% of sales benefit the
signs will be sold online for $75 rings true as we celebrate the 35th City of New York.
each and are available one per anniversary of the Beastie Boys’ CityStore is similar to a mu-
customer. All signs will be sold iconic album – Paul’s Boutique. seum store, which complements
via the CityStore, the Official Our continued partnership with the museum by highlighting the
Store of the City of New York, and NYC DOT is truly a special way treasures within while serving
proceeds will benefit the city’s to pay homage to our city’s rich as a stand-alone retail entity for
general fund. and diverse culture and offer New wonderful gifts, collectables and
The Beastie Boys Square street Yorkers a small piece of history. research materials. A museum
sign currently hangs at the corner We can’t wait to celebrate the store is a revenue source for the
of Ludlow and Rivington streets, next drop.” museum and reinforces and pro-
the intersection in Manhattan’s Monthly sign drops feature tects the integrity of the museum
Lower East Side that was featured signs for iconic New York City brand. CityStore is the “museum
on the iconic cover of Paul’s Bou- streets, commemorations of fa- store” for the entire City of New
tique. Released on July 25, 1989, mous New Yorkers, celebrations York.