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New York attorney general warns of Passover scams fleecing Jews

“It’s illegal to take advantage of a religious holiday to charge more for services,” per Letitia James’s office.

Letitia James
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during an MLK Day public policy forum at NAN Headquarters in New York on Jan. 15, 2024. Credit: Lev Radin/Shutterstock.

Jews should be cautious about scams, in which businesses charge extra under the guise of Passover “specials,” the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James warned on Tuesday.

“With Passover starting soon, New Yorkers should beware of businesses claiming to offer ‘Passover Specials,’ like car-cleaning services, but are actually charging more for Passover-related services to take advantage of the Jewish community,” the attorney general’s office wrote. “This is blatantly antisemitic.”

“Many Jews clean their homes and cars before Passover to remove ‘chametz’ or leavened products, and it’s illegal to take advantage of a religious holiday to charge more for services,” James’s office added. “If you believe you’ve been a victim of this discrimination, contact us.”

James’s office issued a similar warning on social media in 2022.

The statement followed a pellet gun shooting targeting worshipers outside a synagogue in Toronto.
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