Canada's flag carrier said Friday that service from Toronto and Montreal to JFK will cease June 1 and resume Oct. 25. Service to the New York metropolitan area's other major airports — LaGuardia and Newark Liberty — will continue. Air Canada offers 34 flights a day to those two airports from six Canadian cities.

Air Canada says it will reach out to customers who are impacted by the suspension with alternate travel options.

"As jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict and some lower profitability routes and flights are no longer economic, and we are making schedule adjustments accordingly," a spokesman for the Montreal-based carrier said Friday.

The average price for a gallon of jet fuel reached $4.32 on Thursday, up from $2.50 the day before the war in Iran broke out, according to Argus Media.

Oil prices dropped more than 10% Friday, after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial tankers carrying oil from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.

Fuel and labor costs are typically the largest annual expenses for airlines. Delta Air said this month that the tab for higher fuel would add $2 billion to its second-quarter costs. Airlines including Delta, JetBlue and United Airlines are raising bag fees to offset skyrocketing fuel costs. Other airlines, including Lufthansa and KLM, have had to scale back service as jet fuel costs render some routes unprofitable.

In an exclusive Associated Press interview Thursday, International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol said Europe has "maybe six weeks" of remaining jet fuel supplies and said the global economy faces its "largest energy crisis."

But what happens when those records are wrong?

That happened to one Queens couple, who say they were blindsided after their purchase.

• See more CBS New York Investigations

Newly purchased car repossessed

In December, Jennifer and William Malave bought a used BMW from a licensed dealer in Suffolk County. They paid in full, wiring $21,937 to the dealer.

Weeks later, they watched on their Ring camera as the car was towed out of their driveway.

"We were very confused and upset," Jennifer Malave said.

"I called the police department. It's the first person that I called, 911," William Malave said.

Using an app, the Malaves tracked the BMW to a nearby lot. That's when, they say, they learned the car had a lien, and it had been repossessed.

A lien is a legal claim on property, like a car, by an individual or entity you owe money to. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, liens should show up on the title certificate and DMV computer records.

But the Malaves title stated, "No liens recorded," and the DMV report said there were zero active liens.

"I said, 'Repossession? How's that possible?'" William Malave said.

So, how does a car with no liens get repossessed? Well, it shouldn't.

Possible case of "title washing"

It turns out, the auto financing company Santander Consumer USA did have a lien. A company representative told CBS News New York they believe the lien was unlawfully removed.

"They confirmed that they did have a loan, not through me, not through my wife, through a third party," William Malave said.

CBS News New York hasn't confirmed the identity of the third party, but when they stopped making payments, Santander Consumer USA repossessed the car.

"We have a title with no lien on it, but we don't have a car," William Malave said.

CBS News New York sent questions to the DMV and the company. Two days later, the Ring camera captured the return of the BMW, nearly a month after it was repossessed.

Santander Consumer USA said they believe this may be a case of so-called title washing, the illegal act of altering a title.

A Santander Consumer USA rep said they have released the lien and given up their legal ownership rights. Santander turned the vehicle over to the Malaves to help minimize the impact of the alleged fraud.

An industry expert said that likely means the company is absorbing the loss, since restitution is unlikely in cases of suspected fraud like this.

A DMV spokesman said they're investigating and take allegations of fraud very seriously. They added that as soon as the DMV was notified, they "took action."

"We are pleased that this has resulted in the vehicle being returned to this family," the spokesperson said.

• Do you have a story that needs investigating? Let us know.

Safe car buying tips

"Once you started making your phone calls, then all of a sudden, there was action," Jennifer Malave told CBS News New York investigative reporter Mahsa Saeidi. "We really are very thankful."

The couple hopes something can be done so nobody else has to go through the same trauma they went through.

"This could happen to anyone," Jennifer Malave said. "It happened to us. It could happen you."

CBS News New York requested an interview with the commissioner of the DMV to understand what safeguards exist for New Yorkers who rely on state-issued titles. The agency declined.

Experts advise going to a reputable, licensed dealer when purchasing a vehicle. In this case, the dealer said they were willing to absorb the loss, too.

"When somebody commits fraud, you know, there's no guaranteed backstop against that," said Teresa Murray, a consumer advocate at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). "You can only do so much if somebody is lying, submitting fraudulent documents."

PIRG said always run the car's VIN through a reputable, paid database, which will help uncover all sorts of potential issues.

In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.

Child among those injured

Bruce Lynch, of Nassau County, is suing Weber-Stephen products, saying part of a bristle from the brush he used to clean his grill landed in his eye.

"Particles of rust in my eye that had to be removed, obviously blurred vision for quite a while, constant irritation," he said. "I still have scarring in the right eye. I still have limited vision. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

His lawsuit claims that Weber's recall came too late.

"All of our clients have undergone surgeries," said Joseph Ciaccio, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. "One man in New Jersey still has a piece of the brush stuck in his pancreas. The child here that we represent on Long Island needed to undergo two throat surgeries just to remove the bristle."

CBS News New York reached out Weber to comment on the lawsuits, but have not yet received a response.

Wire brush safety

Potential dangers of wire brushes of all kinds have been reported for years.

Experts advise using them gently, wearing protective eyewear, and rinsing the grill after brushing.

Dr. Adam Stright, an emergency surgeon at NYU Langone-Long Island, has seen injuries from wire brushes of all kinds if not used properly and with protective equipment.

"The metal particles do break off. That is a known issue, every brush has that potential, so ultimately I would recommend you use some alternative form of cleaning for your grill," he said. "If you do use them, use them in the safest way possible."

Experts say you should replace your grill brush at least once a season or every 100 uses.

There are also lots of non-wire alternatives, including steam brushes.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline jumped 18 cents last week alone, according to AAA. 

Gas prices climbing across N.Y., N.J., Conn. 

The average price for a gallon of gas in New York City is now $4.11, which is 82 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA.

Things aren't much better on Long Island, where the average price is now $4.01 per gallon, up 15 cents since last week and 88 cents since a month ago. 

Across the Hudson River in New Jersey, a gallon of gas now averages $4.09 per gallon, up 22 cents since last week and 89 cents since more than a month ago. 

And in Connecticut, the average is $4.08 per gallon, up 15 cents over last week and 91 cents higher than a month ago. 

Demand hasn't dropped

Crude oil prices went into the holiday weekend sharply higher. Despite the higher prices, there's been no dip in demand, according to AAA. 

"Rising gas prices have not led to a dip in demand at this point," said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. "As the busy spring and summer driving seasons get underway, time will tell if higher prices have any impact on drivers' desire to hit the road."  

President Trump delivered a profanity-laced ultimatum to Iran to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for oil. Mr. Trump set a Tuesday evening deadline, threatening to destroy Iran's power plants and other civilian infrastructure if Tehran doesn't make a deal. 

CBS News is tracking the price of gas and oil nationwide. Click here for the latest on that. 

It's a type of stock market scheme that's emptying bank accounts all over the country.

Two traders from New York told reporter Tim McNicholas it cost them tens of thousands of dollars.

How pump-and-dump schemes work

From the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange, the FBI says pump-and-dump complaints have jumped 330% over the last year.

Scammers start out by buying shares of a cheap stock but then convince others to buy big, pumping up the stock's value so the scammers can then sell their shares for huge profits.

D.J. Hennes is a managing director with the accounting firm KPMG.

"More people are invested in the stock market than ever," Hennes said. "Sort of [like] day trading with Robinhood. It's more popular to be involved in these things in the short term, and then social media has allowed these messages to go out more quickly to more people."

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins recently testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs that he has been taking steps to protect investors and try to prevent pump-and-dump schemes.   

"The Professor" hatches the scheme on WhatsApp

The sound that signals a new day of trading on the Nasdaq now sounds like an alarm bell to one Peekskill man.

"I lost, um, $74,000. I felt terrible, extremely depressed. In addition to losing money, you feel humiliated when you get run over like that," one trader said.

He said it all started back in November, when he discovered a social media account offering investment advice. He said that account invited him to a WhatsApp chat, where an apparent financial guru called "The Professor" shared trading advice with dozens of people.

The trader said The Professor told him "Life is about continuous learning and progress" and "Let's grab this chance and get one step closer to our goals in life."

At first, the trader said, the advice worked, and his account grew by tens of thousands.

Then, in late January, The Professor urged the group to buy big on a little-known, foreign company called Masonglory Limited, or MSGY on the NasdaqQ.

The value of the stock skyrocketed from all the new investments, only for it to crash the next day.

"My $80,000 stake went down to $10,000, and, actually, I lost the least amount of money out of the people I know. Many people have lost well over $100,000, $200,000," the trader said.

Long Island man loses nearly $100,000

Other people who invested in MSGY took to Reddit to share their stories, and a Long Island man told CBS News New York Investigates he lost $96,000 to the ruse. Like the man from Peekskill, he asked to remain anonymous because he says his family is still afraid of the scammers.

"They're worried about physical intimidation and people going out and getting revenge and so forth," the man from Peekskill said.

Nasdaq said there was so much volatility on that stock that morning that it triggered an automatic freeze, so the victims could not trade as the value plummeted.

CBS News New York Investigates reached out to Masonglory Limited and did not hear back, but financial experts say the companies, themselves, often have nothing to do with pump-and-dump schemes.

At least three of the websites appear to have ties to New Jersey.

Complaints against Ruth's Roses

When California resident Anthea Davis ordered the "European Garden Bouquet" from RuthsRoses.com for her mother-in-law's birthday, she was shocked to find out the $75 order never arrived.

"The order was marked as delivered, which I thought was really strange," Davis said. "So I Googled 'local florists in Allen, Texas,' and they, Ruth's Roses, was the first."

The website says, "Serving our community for over four decades," but when CBS News New York's Lisa Rozner searched for local florists in New Jersey, Google results showed Ruth's Roses also claiming to be local to Jersey City and Red Bank.

CBS News New York also called Ruth's Roses and was told the business was located on "Main Street" but didn't have a certificate of occupancy. A lawyer for the company did contact us and said they wouldn't have comment until next week.  

On Yelp, there are more than 1,300 reviews for Ruth's Roses, and 99% of them give the company 1 out of 5 stars. One review claims they "did not deliver the roses I paid for my mother's funeral."

The BBB said Ruth's Roses had an F rating until October 2025, but it was upgraded to a C after the company started responding to the nearly 500 complaints.

Do your research, BBB advises customers

Ruth's, and similar websites Flowers By Eva and Flowers By Nora, are registered in Nevada, and the BBB shows they are managed by either Anthony Picco or Terry Thompson, who have New Jersey addresses.

Davis said she referred to CBS News New York's 2021 report about a similar website involving Picco to get her money back.

"I eventually did get refunded, but it took a lot of emails a lot of calls," she said, "and it wasn't until I started naming the names of some of the people and letting them kind of know what I had found through my research."

Heather Womback, of Cherry Hill, said she paid around $135 for birthday flowers from Flowers By Eva for her mom in Hutchinson Island, Florida. When the arrangement arrived, it looked completely different from the one pictured on the website.

"They apologized for the lack of service and told me that I would get $35 back," Womback said.

The BBB advises customers to look at reviews and do your research.

"You can see if they have a brick-and-mortar address, and then go to Google Maps or something to see if they're really, really there," said Claire Rosensweig, president and CEO of the BBB of New York.

CBS News New York also contacted the New Jersey attorney general.  A spokesperson said 12 complaints against another website, Terry's Florist, were referred to the Nevada Attorney General's Office. We reported similar consumer complaints against Terry's Florist in 2021, and the BBB has it listed under the same Nevada address as Ruth's Roses, Flowers By Eva and Flowers By Nora.

The representative for the New Jersey attorney general said one complaint was sent to the Monmouth County Office of Consumer Affairs. As for Ruth's Roses, the state attorney general says one complaint from January 2026 is open and under review.

Mom-and-pop shop mix-up

The issues with these websites extend even beyond just customers.

Luisa Amaral is the owner of Ruth Chase Flowers, an award-winning, real mom-and-pop flower shop in New Milford, Connecticut.

Amaral said for the first time in nearly 20 years of business, she's recently gotten complaints – except they're from Ruth's Roses customers. She said when customers search for a phone number to contact Ruth's Roses, the number for Ruth Chase Flowers appears in large print, causing confusion.

"I'm just concerned about our reputation," Amaral said.

She said she also tried calling Ruth's Rose directly.

"And then I say, 'Can I speak with the manager?' And then she put me on hold and then I got disconnected. She hung up," she said.

Amaral also said most of the prices on Ruth's Roses are way less than market rate, so if it seems too good to be true, it is.

CBS News New York contacted Google to find out what, if anything, they can do to help Ruth Chase Flowers, as well as educate consumers. According to Google, its internal teams did not find the Ruth Chase Flowers phone number to appear in Google search results for Ruth's Roses.

As for why Ruth's Roses shows up as a local florist when users search in various municipalities, Google said it does not manually determine rankings, and that the system ranks results based on hundreds of factors, including whether the words in the search match the keywords on a webpage.

Google said it has policies and controls in place to keep Google users safe and prevent businesses from misleading or taking advantage of users looking for information, from rules for representing the services they offer to policies for service-based businesses. It said its teams use a combination of automation, human review, and user feedback to enforce Google's rules, and when there are violations or issues the company communicates with merchants about the approaches they can take to troubleshoot their issues. 

Google said businesses can report any issues with third parties misrepresenting their business on Google via this page. It also shared for best practices on how businesses can edit their Google Business Profile, to refer to its Help Center.

Their worries compounded when a Polymarket trader put $32,000 on the downfall of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro hours before President Trump announced he was captured by U.S. forces. The anonymous user made more than $400,000. 

Financial trading experts said it reeked of insider trading and they're worried it could keep happening. 

Traders or gamblers?

Currently, Polymarket users are guessing whether Mr. Trump will acquire Greenland this year or if Israel will strike Iran. On Kalshi, traders favor Vice President JD Vance as the next president and the Seattle Seahawks to win Super Bowl LX in February. 

The prediction market sites say their users are more suited for Wall Street than the Vegas Strip. They're financial traders, not gamblers, in their view, which makes a big difference when it comes to regulations. 

"Every time I feel lucky, I put some bets on there. I know it's not betting, but, I gamify it," said Zaid Abdulhadi, a Kalshi trader. "Even though they say they're different, they're closer to gambling than it is kind of an options trade." 

"We're dealing with a new animal"

The New York State Gaming Commission, which regulates gambling, sent Kalshi a cease and desist letter saying the company offers sports betting without a state license.

Kalshi responded with an ongoing lawsuit against the state, arguing it's a trading platform so only the Federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission has regulatory authority. 

"We're dealing with a new animal," said State Assemblymember Clyde Vanel. 

Vanel, a Democrat from Queens, introduced a bill to ban trading on many types of predictions, including sports and politics. 

"Whether it be the NBA or MLB, or what have you, there are charges against certain players that had certain behavior to affect a bet here and there, and that's just sports," Vanel said. "Imagine what happens in politics. Imagine that happens in policy to actually affect everyday people."

Political insider trading worries

While neither Polymarket nor Kalshi would agree to CBS News New York's request for an interview for this story, Kalshi sent a statement saying it already bans insider trading. 

"Kalshi explicitly prohibits insider trading of any form, including government employees trading on prediction markets related to government activity. We're looking at the specifics of the bill, but we already ban the activity it cites and are in support of means to prevent this type of activity. Market integrity is integral to the functioning of any US regulated exchange. Activity from the past few days has occurred on an unregulated exchange," Kalshi said.

Kalshi's CEO previously said he supports Bronx Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres' federal bill to ban politicians from insider trading on prediction markets.

But that's already illegal, according to D.J. Hennes, with the accounting firm KPMG. 

"You're not allowed to use material, nonpublic information to trade in these markets. So there are regulations out there and it's about enforcing the rules on the books," Hennes said. "If you know something is going to happen through your job, your friend, whatever it may be, and you bet on that and the government finds out about it, you could be prosecuted. That's fraud." 

Polymarket did not respond when we reached out about this story. The company's terms of service ban any kind of fraudulent trading, but they do not specifically mention insider trading.  

Risky, even when used legally

Hennes said you should carefully consider your predictions, even when use of the platforms is perfectly legal, as certain details could cost you big bucks.

Traders who predicted Time Magazine would name "AI" as its 2025 Person of the Year won nothing, for example, when the magazine picked the "Architects of AI," instead.

Abdulhadi said he's careful not to spend too much money on prediction markets and that he's not quitting his day job on Wall Street.  

Maimonides Health CEO Ken Gibbs said Monday the merger is still pending final legal and regulatory approval. It's supported by a $2.2 billion state grant protecting Brooklyn's health care safety net. 

By partnering up with the city, Maimonides' three hospitals and 80 community-based sites can be reimbursed at a higher rate by Medicaid, the announcement said. 

Maimonides patients will also be able to access their health records with Epic, an online portal designed to improve coordination with their doctors, officials said. 

"All of our 11 hospitals have their own identity and culture, and Maimonides will retain its unique character and commitment to the communities it serves," NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz said. "As we move forward, we will work with its amazing, dedicated clinicians and staff to ensure a smooth transition for everyone, especially its patients."

"Joining NYC Health + Hospitals will allow Maimonides to build on our history of providing outstanding specialty care to the communities we have proudly served for decades," Gibbs said.

Officials said patient care will not be interrupted during the transition. 

"By bringing two storied health care systems together under one umbrella, we will ensure that Brooklynites, and all New Yorkers, can continue to receive the high-quality care that they deserve," Mayor Eric Adams said. "NYC Health + Hospitals is the envy of cities everywhere, and New Yorkers trust the care they receive at its 11 hospitals and many other patient care sites. This effort preserves and strengthens care in my home borough of Brooklyn, and will be great for the thousands of patients who use Maimonides every day. I thank Governor [Kathy] Hochul, Dr. Katz, and Maimonides for joining in this shared vision to serve all patients and deliver the trusted care they deserve."    

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said just before the merger was announced that he renominated Katz to oversee NYC Health + Hospitals and reappointed Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason K. Graham. 

Mamdani, a democratic socialist and avid soccer fan, has been openly critical of FIFA's decision to let ticket prices fluctuate based on demand, instead of selling them for a flat rate based on seating, like what was done at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But as mayor, can he actually do anything about high ticket prices? 

"Yes. This is going to be me using my platform to speak up to FIFA at every opportunity," Mamdani said Sunday on CBS News New York's "The Point with Marcia Kramer."

Fans fear getting priced out

FIFA's ticket pricing plan for the tournament across the U.S., Mexico and Canada has drawn international outrage, as soccer fans worry about getting priced out, especially with eight matches, including the Final, coming next summer to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 

"The cheapest ticket to the World Cup Final, which will be here in New York City and New Jersey, according to the Croatian Federation, is $4,000," Mamdani said. "That's five times more expensive than it was to go to the Final in Qatar."

The group Football Supports Europe contends it would cost fans nearly $7,000 USD to follow their team from its first match to the Final in 2026. Tickets to the previous Final were priced at $380 for an obstructed view seat to $5,850 for one of the best seats in the stadium, according to FIFA.

FIFA is also involved in ticket resales for the upcoming tournament, charging secondary sellers and buyers 15% each.

"I want the price to be something that's affordable. This, you'd have to mortgage your house to be able to afford that for a lot of people. And when it was last in the United States, you could get to the final in California for less than $200. That needs to be what we're looking for," Mamdani said. 

MetLife Stadium matches in high demand

The first game at MetLife Stadium will be a Group Stage match pitting Brazil, one of the most successful teams in World Cup history, against Morocco on June 13.

The stadium holds a whopping 82,500 fans for soccer, but demand appears to be very high to start and it's likely to rise as the stakes get higher later in the tournament. 

"I am going to appoint a World Cup czar because, I think at the core of it, I'm so excited at the fact that we are going to be hosting eight games across the World Cup next summer," Mamdani said. "I also understand why soccer fans feel the way they do. They have a right to."

FIFA also used a dynamic ticket pricing model for the Club World Cup last summer.   

See the full interview

Mamdani also discussed his views on Israel, charter schools, the 2026 midterm elections, his meeting with President Trump and more.

To watch the full interview, click here.

One Westchester County woman shared her cautionary tale with CBS News New York investigative reporter Tim McNicholas.

The show won't go on

Scarsdale resident Debra Fisher bought tickets to see the off-Broadway play "House of McQueen" back in the fall and planned a trip to the city, but when she showed up, she found a crew dismantling the set and learned the production had closed two weeks early.

"This burly guy comes out ... and he goes, 'Well, youse don't have a show here.' And I said, 'What do you mean?'" Fisher said. "And he said, 'Well, the show closed' ... And I said, 'How come no one told us?'"

A spokesperson for the production says Ticketmaster customers were quickly notified of the change and offered refunds or tickets to earlier performances, but Fisher bought her tickets on eTickets.com, a site the "House of McQueen" team says it has no working relationship with.

"I went there excited. I left stunned," she said.

Fisher said when she contacted eTickets.com, she received an email reading, "We apologize for the inconvenience, however we haven't been able to find any indication of the event being canceled."

CBS News New York reached out to eTickets.com, and then it gave Fisher a full refund. Customer Support said the canceled show had not been updated in its system, adding, "We regret any confusion or inconvenience this delay in communication may have caused."

"I don't want this to happen again. I mean, now, I'm second-guessing every single purchase that I make using those kind of formats," Fisher said. "It makes me really feel very uncomfortable about ordering things online."

Buy from the official vendor to be safe, expert says

Professor Jared Watson, with NYU's Stern School of Business, says stories like Fisher's are common among customers of many secondary ticket marketplaces.

"They don't have partnerships with the providers of the service, so they can't necessarily maintain the authenticity of the product, and they're not privy to any developments, whether there's cancellations or any sort of changes to the production schedule," Watson said.

He says to be safe, buy from the official vendor.

Complaints lodged against secondary market sites

Secondary marketplaces such as StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek and eTickets.com all guarantee valid tickets or your money back, but issues still pop up.

New York State's Division of Consumer Protection tracks complaints, including unexpected cancellations and issues with third-party sellers sending consumers tickets they have purchased.

The agency says it hasn't fielded any complaints about eTickets.com. It has logged one complaint about VividSeats and 20 about SeatGeek since the end of 2022.

When it comes to StubHub, the biggest secondary marketplace, the agency fielded 11 complaints in 2023, 19 in 2024, and 34 so far this year.

None of the companies mentioned in this story would agree to an interview with CBS News New York.

StubHub sent a statement saying issues on its platform are extremely rare and when problems do arise, it has 24/7 customer service to help. The company says people should only buy from third parties that offer dedicated support.

If you do run into problems, contact the vendor ASAP to try to get it fixed.

That's why consumers are being warned to be extra vigilant this year.

How to protect your information

Last month in Harlem, Chase Bank and the New York City Police Department hosted what they a call a Holiday Scam-Busting Workshop to warn people about fraud.

JP Morgan Chase community manager Tanisha Ritter offered some tips for staying safe.

"Protect your information. Stay organized," she said. "Make sure you're checking your accounts. Make sure when you use the ATM that you're covering up your pin."

She also recommends getting to know the agencies that you conduct business with.

"Take a moment to get to know who your banker is, so that person can be your point of contact," Ritter said. "So when someone calls and says, 'Hey, I'm such-and-such from your bank,' you would know in your heart of hearts, no, you're not. I know my banker."

"Fraudsters who are looking to seize upon an opportunity can be very good, can be very persuasive," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. "Can tell you, you know, 'The bank is five blocks away. I'm right here.'"

Bragg says scammers often target senior citizens, but nowadays, anyone can fall victim.

"If it sounds too good to be true – that free money, zero percent interest rate – take the breath, go to the teller," he said.

"Slow down," Ritter said. "I cannot stress enough – take your time, take a breather."

That breather may be the difference between a holiday headache and winter wonderland.  

Scams to look out for

It's the busiest time of year not just for shoppers, but for thieves, so what are the latest scams to look out for?  

Experts say fraudsters are posting on social media claiming to sell the hottest toys at a discount, and sending texts about fake package delivery issues or past-due bills.

The goal is often to get you to send money or provide sensitive details like your banking information.

Bragg said scammers are using AI to be even more persuasive and to target more people.

"AI helps with the volume. If a phone script– you can sort of generate that, it's not someone making 1,000 calls when you can do a recording," he said.

Fraudsters are also targeting people who are selling items on social media by giving them a fake or stolen check for more than what the seller requested. Then, they ask them to deposit the check and send them back the extra amount, only for that check to later bounce.

Police also say if you're mailing gifts through a USPS blue box, you want to look up that location's pick-up times online, then drop it off as close to that pick-up time as a possible to limit the time a mail thief might have to try to fish it out.

If you think you've been scammed in Manhattan, call the DA's office hotline at 212-335-8300.

The settlement announced Monday means Starbucks will pay restitution to more than 15,000 workers who were employed at hundreds of its New York City locations between July 2021 and July 2024. 

New York City officials touted it as the largest worker protection settlement in the city's history, coming on the heels of a strike by unionized Starbucks baristas. 

Starbucks accused of violating NYC workers' rights

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection said it launched an investigation into all 300+ Starbucks locations in the city in 2022 after it received dozens of worker complaints and ultimately uncovered more than half a million violations of the Fair Workweek Law dating back to 2021. 

The law limits how often fast food employers can change workers' regular schedules and says they must be given an opportunity to turn down additional hours. Additionally, it says active employees must be offered newly available shifts before hiring new workers. 

"The city's Fair Workweek Law provides workers with vital protections, like the right to a predictable schedule so workers can plan their lives and earn stable incomes, but Starbucks chose to ignore these rights and prioritize their own bottom line," said Vilda Vera Mayuga, commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. 

Starbucks response

City investigators said most Starbucks employees never received regular schedules, and that the company regularly cut their hours by more than 15% while denying them chances to pick up extra shifts. 

"The NYC laws remain unchanged and complex, but our focus hasn't shifted – we're committed to creating the best job in retail. Since these claims, we've invested $500 million in improving the partner experience as part of our Back to Starbucks strategy. These investments not only ensure compliance – they make the experience better for partners in our coffeehouses. Today, more partners are getting schedules that fit their lives, making it easier to match availability and preferences while staying aligned with local laws like Fair Workweek," a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News New York. 

"It does not matter how big your business is or how much money your company makes, if you violate our workers' rights, you will pay the price," Mayor Eric Adams said.  

Mamdani backs Starbucks workers on strike

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani addressed the settlement while joining striking Starbucks workers in Brooklyn. 

"We celebrate what [the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection] was able to accomplish in the largest ever settlement that has been won in this city," Mamdani said. "We will continue to commit funding, both of a fiscal kind and also of our own sustained commitments in terms of the political will necessary, to ensure that we hold these kinds of corporations accountable." 

How much money Starbucks employees will get

Starbucks will pay $3.4 million in civil penalties in addition to more than $35.5 million in restitution to workers in the settlement. 

Most hourly Starbucks employees will receive $50 for each week worked from July 4, 2021, to July 7, 2024, at more than 300 New York City locations, according to officials. 

An employee who worked continuously for a year and a half, for example, would be entitled to receive $3,900, city officials said.

Payments will arrive by checks in the mail during the winter, officials said.

Workers may be eligible to receive compensation for violations that occurred after July 7, 2024, by filing a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Small business crawls were held from Newark, New Jersey, to Queens and Brooklyn, encouraging shoppers to give back to those who keep their communities thriving.

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID incentivizes shopping local with prizes

Nearly two dozen businesses on Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant are partaking in something new this year with the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District (BID).

Twenty-two shops are handing out special cards to customers, and shoppers who collect all 22 cards can enter to win a prize from the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID over the next three Saturdays.

Participating stores are displaying a page or image from the book "Lionel the Lying Lion" in their front windows. The book, written and illustrated by Bed-Stuy native Amir Diap, teaches children not to lie.

"Lionel is based out of Bed-Stuy and based out of here," Diap said. "It's the core of my message, and it's the core of everything that I've done."

"This is my lifeline, seeing happy faces that come in the store"

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Executive Director Dale Charles dressed as Mrs. Claus and led a tour to participating businesses Saturday.

"We want the people that has the taxpayers' money, they're paying rent for brick-and-mortar, we want to work with them and make sure that they have a way to keep their stores open," she said.

One stop along the tour was Solano Optical Boutique, owned by Kim Moreno.

"A lot of stuff is going up. It is a little harder for small businesses," Moreno said. "People ... that don't know the store is here, they get to come in to see what we have, you know?"

The tour also included vacant storefronts in the area in hopes of finding a new business owner to move in.

"Already today, one of the vacancies has been asked, 'What's the rent?' Because they want to rent it by January," Charles said.

David Ramnauth owns Big Brothers Hardware, which has been on Fulton Street for 30 years, and says New York City would be nothing without its small businesses.

"This is my lifeline, seeing happy faces that come in the store," Ramnauth said. "I've been here for 40 years. I don't plan to go anywhere."

The ticket won second prize in the Mega Millions drawing on Dec. 13, 2024. It was purchased at Cold Cut Express located at 507 Dubois Avenue in Valley Stream and matched five of the winning numbers, according to New York lottery officials.

The winning numbers were 36-43-52-58-65 and Mega Ball 16, the lotto said.   

Winners have one year to claim their prize, so the ticket must be turned in by Dec. 13, 2025. 

The New York Lottery says the person with the winning ticket should sign the back, put it in a safe place, then call the lottery at 518-388-3370 or visit www.nylottery.ny.gov to find out how to claim the prize.

Mega Millions entries cost $5 each. Players have 1 in 23 odds of winning a prize, but an astronomical 1 in 290,472,336 of winning the jackpot. The odds of winning the $1 million second prize are 1 in 12,629,232, the lottery's website says. 

Last year, a player in California won an estimated $1.22 billion jackpot, one of the largest in the game's history.

The current Mega Millions jackpot is up to an estimated $843 million. The next drawing is Friday at 11 p.m.

"The Trump Administration's failure to fund SNAP benefits has left hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents feeling scared and unsure of where their next meal will come from," Murphy said in a statement. "Today, members of the Air National Guard are mobilizing to deliver refrigerated storage containers to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey and Fulfill, enhancing the cold storage capacity at critical hubs for our emergency feeding organizations." 

The Trump administration said it would partially fund federal food aid for the month, while two federal judges ordered the use of emergency funds to pay for the food assistance program. 

• Watch: Following a judge's order, President Trump says SNAP benefits will be partially funded

Without SNAP benefits, families turn to food banks 

In Clifton, thousands of frozen turkeys and hams from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey are being distributed to food pantries and churches ahead of Thanksgiving. 

The Food Brigade regularly feeds about 700 families, but in the last two weeks has seen a more than 100% increase in new applications for help. 

"People are suffering. People are struggling. People are not making enough money to put food on their tables," Carmine DeMarco said. 

More than 400 bags of food were dropped at an emergency food drive in Ridgewood to help the 263 families in town who lost their food stamp benefits. 

"I'm lucky enough that, for me, to go to the store and throw some extra stuff in my cart is not a big deal. But that someone in this town can't put food on their table, I just had to help," Samantha Williams said. 

"Every community in New Jersey, and probably all across the country, is impacted by this," Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos said. 

Skipping meals on a tight budget

Susan Hirschfield, who lives in Demarest, takes care of her adult son and brother. She relies on SNAP to buy food and, like so many others, is now turning to food pantries for help. 

"This month isn't going to be pleasant, there's a holiday coming," she said. 

Hirschfield said she skips meals because some days are so tight. 

"It bothers my stomach a bit and because I am diabetic, that's difficult," she said. "Yeah, I do get hungry." 

Hirschfield said drinking coffee and lemon water helps with the hunger. 

She added things are tough in general right now, but she's trying to stay optimistic. 

"Don't give up," she said. "Like my mother would say, this too shall pass." 

Mount Vernon's mayor warned Monday that nearly 5,000 residents would stop receiving government food aid if Congress does not replenish the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by Nov. 1.

Food banks preparing for a wave of need

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said the city is working with food banks to expand services in anticipation of a wave of new need as the government shutdown continues. 

"This situation will have a significant impact on families and their ability to be able to take care of themselves, feed their children," Patterson-Howard said. 

One of those New Yorkers, Maureen Humphreys, said she relies on SNAP benefits to make ends meet. 

"With whatever I get through my Social Security, because I don't get that much, it helps a lot," she said. 

The benefits are credited monthly to EBT cards to use like cash at grocery stores. 

"It's trickling down to the local level"

Patterson-Howard said she's frustrated, since the federal government has an emergency fund to pay partial SNAP benefits for November.

The Trump administration, however, said the shutdown does not quality as a triggering emergency, such as an extreme weather event. 

"There's a big fight going on right now in Washington, but it's trickling down to the local level," the mayor said. 

Her warning came the same day Gov. Kathy Hochul announced an extra $30 million in state funding for food assistance.

"We have over 3 million New Yorkers who could go hungry during the month of Thanksgiving ... because of the shutdown," Hochul said.

Standoff in Washington continues

Senate Majority Leader John Thune blames the shutdown on Democrats. 

"Democrats own this. They own any lapse in funding for critical food aid programs just as they own every other negative effect of the shutdown," the Republican leader said. 

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said he blames the GOP. 

"There's no question who's at fault here. When you control the White House and both chambers in Congress, it's a little hard to blame the other guys," Murphy said. 

If SNAP is frozen, meanwhile, Humphreys said she'll have to rely more on senior center meals and food pantries to survive. 

"The longer it takes, for the shutdown, the more people it gets hurt," she said. 

For weeks, she was unable to get a refund from the site where she purchased the tickets, StubHub, a secondary ticket marketplace where fans buy and sell seats.

So, she turned to the CBS News New York investigators to get results and warn others about what to know before clicking buy.

Tickets would not scan at the venue

On the day of the show, Courtney DeRocini went to the theater and showed them the QR code for the tickets in the StubHub app.

"They went to scan my phone. [The usher] said it's not coming up," she said. "He said, 'Don't worry, a lot of times this happens ... Usually around 7:00, you get tickets and you're able to get in.' I said, OK. Now, in my head, I'm wondering, what is going on here?" 

StubHub sent DeRocini multiple replacements, but none of those worked either, she said. 

"My 9-year-old is crying. She loves 'Mamma Mia!' She wants to see the show," she said. 

The mother and daughter wound up missing the show while DeRocini was on the phone with customer service.  

StubHub did not immediately issue refund, despite "FanProtect" promise

After three weeks without a refund, DeRocini reached out to CBS News New York. 

"I decided to contact you because I watch CBS and I've seen you help other people with different things," DeRocini said. 

StubHub's "FanProtect" guarantee promises "valid tickets or your money back." We contacted the company and DeRocini got her refund. 

"We are very sorry for Ms. DeRocini's experience and regret that she and her daughter missed the show. This is not the standard StubHub strives to deliver," the company said in a statement to CBS News New York. "Under our FanProtect Guarantee we have issued her a full refund, including her prepaid parking. We have also provided a voucher for future use. We are also strengthening seller compliance and ticket verification measures to help prevent this type of situation from happening again."

The company said the refund was delayed due to a technical misstep. 

Things to keep in mind when buying tickets online

To avoid finding yourself in a similar predicament, keep these things in mind when shopping online for tickets:

• Consider buying tickets from the box office when you can.
• Always use a credit card, since it gives you more protection if you need to dispute a charge.
• Keep your records, including emails and screenshots, in case you need proof the tickets did not work. 

Do you have a story that needs investigating? Let us know.

It's not just one hotel in crisis - multiple locations have been abruptly abandoned. 

Jose Flores oversees the housekeeping department at the Tuscany Hotel by LuxUrban in Midtown. Flores and other staff told CBS News New York that they stopped going to work on Monday after LuxUrban allegedly stopped paying them. 

"Well, we're looking for help, OK?" Flores said. "We don't know what's going on ... We have to pay rent. We had to buy food. And we don't have no money." 

Flores told CBS News New York that his boss had resigned. 

One person who works at the hotel told CBS News New York there are just two employees left at the 18-floor hotel. 

"No services ... and no staff" 

"We have no managers here right now," the employee said, adding that they hadn't been paid either. 

Despite the staffing shortage and apparent lack of managers at the hotel, it was still possible to book and pay for a room. 

Workers at the hotel said they didn't know how many guests were in the building. 

Some guests departing the hotel said they noticed there was nobody doing any cleaning. 

"To be fair, the room was fine this time. Just no services, right, and no staff," one person said. 

But soon, others said they were blocked from checking in. 

"I was able to check in about four nights ago," Pete Sridarom, a visitor from California said. "I noticed there wasn't anyone cleaning."

"The hotel had quite bad reviews, but we thought we'd suck it up," guest Rensford Richardson-Pryce said. 

• Do you have a story that needs investigating? Let us know.

No response from LuxUrban yet

CBS News New York left multiple emails and messages for LuxUrban. The only response we received was from one manager, who texted, "I am no longer part of LuxUrban as of Friday ... I have no further comment." 

CBS News New York then tried a representative for the property owner, which city records show is an LLC in Malaysia, but got no response. 

CBS News New York then called the FDNY. An inspector arrived for a previously scheduled annual inspection. He found the hotel operating without the required staff and issued multiple violations, the FDNY said. 

Four days later, the Tuscany was vacated by the building owner. 

"I can't believe that these things happen"

LuxUrban touts two other properties on its website, including the Hotel 27 in Midtown and The Herald on West 35th Street. When CBS News New York stopped by Hotel 27, it was also shut down - much to the surprise of a family who had just arrived from Argentina and had prepaid more than $1,400 for five nights. 

"I'm just laughing because I'm nervous. I'm very nervous about it," Martina Ferrari said. "I can't believe that these things happen, really happen, and it's happening to us."

The third LuxUrban property, The Herald, was also closed down, impacting more guests and workers. 

• See more CBS New York Investigations

"You can't collect unemployment because you're officially still employed, but you're not getting paid," one worker said. 

"It's a horrible situation to be in in"

"It's a horrible situation to be in. Honestly, I have bills. I have stuff that's piling up," Tuscany employee Sasha Robinson said. "I just want to know how are they allowed to do this to people, hardworking people."

The union for the hotel workers said they've long had issues with LuxUrban. They've filed and won arbitration awards in the past to get members paid. 

CBS News New York is still trying to get in touch with LuxUrban to find out what's going on and will continue to follow up.

It was still possible to book rooms at the closed hotels as of Friday night. The Hotel Trades Council said the hotels just disappeared overnight and closed up shop. 

Again, we are still trying to get in touch with them and get their side of this.

A host of scathing product reviews got the attention of the online retailer, which tipped off the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. 

"They brought Nintendo in and had them look at the products that had been sent back to Amazon, and they said, these are all counterfeit, 100%, no Nintendo parts at all," Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly said. 

The investigation led to an Island Park warehouse allegedly stocked with fake products.

Lawrence resident Isaac Lapidus, 34, was arrested. He pleaded not guilty to trademark counterfeiting and conspiracy. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. 

Authorities said Lapidus hawked more than $2 million worth of counterfeit Nintendo accessories since 2018 using the Amazon seller accounts PandaVida Inc., Unibabe, ABC of product, this too shall pass, and Zuzu Cares 4 U (now listed as ArminStore on Amazon).

Donnelly said Nintendo Switch docking stations, docking station adapters and Pokémon Go Plus+ accessories were all counterfeit. 

Island Park neighbors said it all looked legitimate from the outside. 

"There's always trucks loading and unloading, especially during Christmas," Karen Hall said. 

"He was getting these counterfeit products from overseas, likely the Philippines and China ... and making an incredible profit," Donnelly said. 

No one at the warehouse responded. 

Amazon said it has zero tolerance for counterfeits and acted quickly by removing the counterfeit listings and blocking relevant selling accounts. 

Donnelly said more arrests could follow and the investigation is continuing into other brand-name merchandise, including mattresses, found in the warehouse.

Warning signs of a counterfeit product

Jake Marquina, a corporate trainer with PayMore Stores, can spot a fake. He said the graphics are rarely as sharp. 

"The coloring doesn't look as bold as it should be. It's a little bit faded, so that's one clear indicator as well," Marquina said. 

Other red flags can include the price, which may seem too good to be true. 

"When you buy counterfeit electronics, there is always the chance of a fire and that's what we didn't want," Donnelly said. 

Donnelly said Lapidus' products had incorrect Japanese language characters. 

The proposal has hundreds of liquor store owners on edge, who say the plan could come at too high a cost. 

A new Department of Health report shows New York City is home to 25,000 businesses licensed to sell alcohol, with almost 1,500 categorized as liquor stores. 

"It's especially concerning to see how the density of liquor stores in a neighborhood is linked to heavy drinking," Adams said in a statement. 

Proximity matters, some health experts say

Some public health experts say the connection is real, and proximity does matter. 

"Those are proven public health interventions, decreasing access makes it harder to use whatever it is," Dr. Nzinga Harrison of Eleanor Health said. "People do not realize how detrimental even low-level alcohol use is to a person's health." 

Health officials warn consuming too much alcohol has been linked to at least seven types of cancers. 

"Alcohol is a human carcinogen. It's a class one carcinogen, basically the same category as asbestos and tobacco," Dr. Pete Sulack said. 

And it's not just stores the report suggests cutting back on, but also adding restrictions to alcohol advertisements.

"I would be very concerned about job loss, empty storefronts"

Michael Towne Wine and Spirits has been serving Brooklyn Heights residents for nearly a century, weathering economic downturns and the COVID pandemic. The owner says the new push from Adams could threaten its future, which is already looking dim. 

"Marijuana has affected it. Different lifestyle choices," owner Michael Correra said. "I would be very concerned about job loss, empty storefronts."

Adams and the DOH are looking to cut the number of liquors stores in communities with a high density of what the city is calling alcohol-related harm, specifically in communities across Manhattan, as well as in Downtown and Northern Brooklyn. 

Correra says there's already enough oversight. 

"I believe we are business that is greatly regulated and controlled," Correra said. 

Not everyone agrees that cutting back liquor stores will make a difference. 

"It seems like an odd thing to be concerned with right now, with all the other serious issues that New York City is dealing with," Brooklyn Heights resident Martha Rowan said. 

"Maybe it's an easy target because it's a vice for some people. But I think people are also responsible enough to hopefully make their own decisions," resident Sam Friedman said. 

Haley Steinbrenner Swindal, the Yankees' ambassador of community relations, said 2,500 kids from Bronx School District 9 were invited to pick up free backpacks and school supplies.

Over a dozen local organizations also joined the fair, offering services like CPR lessons, vision tests and more.

Parents worried about unexpected expenses during school year

While the event helped parents and students get ready for the beginning of the year, there are still unplanned expenses after classes start. From field trips to replacing supplies mid-year, these can become costly hassles. 

The results of a new consumer survey by Vanguard found 70% of parents are overwhelmed with school-related expenses and 51% of parents spend $1,000 or more on unexpected expenses.  

"Anything electronic," Caridad Cuevas said. "Snacking, the snacking. I don't care how much you budget, how much you clip coupons, the snacking and the food is a big, major thing."

Parents Christina and Rick Morales say they like to think they've crafted a sturdy budget, but they know to expect the unexpected.

"They would lose pencils. They would lose book bags. They would lose lunchboxes. They would lose anything, notebooks," Christina Morales said.

Parents say because every kind of savings makes a difference, they're grateful for Friday's event. Now, their kids are heading back to school with freebies, helping parents save and build a cushion for the surprises that can blow up a budget.

Families with children in K-12 are expected to spend $858 on average this year, with an uptick in families hunting for sales and shopping at discount stores.

School supplies costs rising as shoppers seek deals

A new study from the National Retail Federation found that while a record number of parents started shopping earlier than ever for school supplies this summer, citing fears of looming tariffs and inflation, they're finishing later.

According to the study, 67% of back-to-school shoppers started in July, but 46% of families said they had completed less than half of their school shopping by early August.

"We're hearing from shoppers that they're trying to spread out their budget, trying to really look for the best sales and deals," said Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights for the National Retail Federation.

But those deals are harder to come by.

An analysis by the Century Foundation found school supplies on average cost 7.3% more this summer than last, with binders 12.8% more expensive, the cost of pencils up 5.9%, and lunch boxes up 8.3%.

"The cost of electronics and sneakers and other goods that are made in China that are really basics for kids these days are going up because of the tariffs as well," Century Foundation President Julie Margetta Morgan said.

Margetta Morgan says the squeeze is inevitably passed on to teachers.

"If parents say, you know, I can't afford that extra set of colored pencils or that extra pack of markers, very often, those costs are borne by teachers," she said.

What to wait to buy, according to a shopping expert

If you have waited until the last minute to finish back-to-school shopping, experts say at this point, it may pay to wait a little longer, at least for some items.

"Start looking around for sales, taking advantage of discounts, but I would kind of hold off on, for example, anything summer-themed," shopping expert Trae Bodge said.

She suggests buying clothes and shoes after class is back in session to get those summer clearance sales and so kids can see what's in style for the fall.

"Inevitably, your style-conscious child is going to go back to school and see what's trending, and maybe that's not something you bought and they're going to come back to you and ask you for that item," Bodge said.

To save even more, experts advise buying secondhand clothes and refurbished electronics.

Some of the big box stores, such as Target, say a lot of their school supply prices are on par with last year's because they were able to buy much of it in bulk before tariffs went into effect.

The federal government just reached a settlement with one company after investigators say it used deceptive claims and fake reviews to trick customers. 

The Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit says New York-based telehealth company called NextMed ran a series of advertisements promoting its weight loss program in 2022 and 2023. The FTC says the people mentioned in the ads never tried NextMed's program, and many of them were actors, or people who responded to Craigslist postings seeking before and after photos. 

That's not all, FTC attorney Christine DeLorme said. 

Fake reviews and takedown requests of negative reviews

"They had employees write fake positive reviews, and when there were negative reviews, they contested those reviews and tried to have them taken down," DeLorme said. 

The federal government said the company misled users into thinking the cost of its weight loss program included popular medication like Ozempic or Wegovy. Investigators say it didn't include those costs, or the price of consultations and lab work needed for prescriptions. 

• Do you have a story that needs investigating? Let us know

"Consumers encountered a lot of difficulties in trying to cancel or get a refund, that they were unable to reach the company to get a timely resolution," DeLorme said. 

NextMed agreed to pay $150,000 to settle the case. They would not agree to an interview, and did not respond to CBS News New York's email asking for an explanation. 

The FTC says consumers should always read the fine print, and if you do get ripped off, you can file disputes with you credit card company and report it to the FTC. 

"You want to know what you're singing up for. Am I signing up for one month, or am I signing for 12 months to charge me every month," DeLorme said. 

• See more CBS New York Investigations

The state's troubled Office of Cannabis Management said it ordered more than 100 pot shops to shut down or relocate after it misinterpreted a law saying how far away from schools they must be. 

New York's error could put cannabis shops out of business

In a letter, New York's marijuana authority told 152 stores they were allowed to open because officials calculated they were at least 500 feet from a school's front door, but the law actually states they must be that far from the school's property line.

The Housing Works Marijuana Dispensary was the first legal pot shop in New York City. The state now says it's too close to the Harvey Milk School in the East Village and cannot continue to operate there.

The distance from the school's door and the property line, about 32 feet, is the difference between being legal and not legal. 

The owner of Housing Works Marijuana Dispensary said it's ironic the state is concerned about how close it is to the school down the block, but not the liquor store directly across the street from the school.  

Council member wants businesses grandfathered in

Manhattan City Council Member Gale Brewer, who led the fight to close illegal pot shops, says the state should grandfather these shops into compliance instead of forcing them to close because of the mess up. 

"These shops make our community safer," Brewer said. "They employ people and they believe in philanthropy." 

Meanwhile, shop owners who borrowed money and invested their life savings said they're livid at the state for trying to shut them down now. 

"In the blink of an eye ... 152 of us businesses are impacted. Thousands of employees are impacted. Our entire industry is impacted," Osbert Orduña, CEO of Cannabis Place Dispensary, said. 

"This system is working. Let it work. Why break me right now? Why? Is this a political stunt? I don't know, this is crazy," Cass Marte, CEO of Conbud, said. 

The shop owners also worry that if their legal marijuana businesses are forced to close, illegal ones will flourish.

State offers solutions, but owners say not enough

Gov. Kathy Hochul was said to be furious when the miscalculations were discovered. She said in a statement, in part, "We will correct this unacceptable oversight ... created by previous agency leadership," adding her office is "taking immediate action to support cannabis store owners impacted."

The governor also heavily criticized the agency for its rollout of business licenses in 2024, when she called it a "disaster." 

The OCM said in a statement, in part, "OCM has been listening to impacted businesses and communities coming out of this proximity correction and understands their challenges. That engagement is driving the agency's collaboration with Governor Hochul and the Legislature to address the issue. We will keep working to support impacted businesses, strengthen market integrity, and safeguard the industry from future vulnerabilities."

The state is now trying to give the stores a temporary reprieve. When they apply for license renewals in the fall, the state simply won't rule on them so they can stay open. If they relocate, they can get $250,000 from the state to find a new space. 

However, the owners worry they won't be able to borrow money without valid licenses. Instead, they want the governor to push legislation changing the law or grandfathering them in.

Bronx State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda introduced a bill that would do that earlier in the week, but it's unclear when the legislature would take it up.

Here's what homeowners in the Tri-State Area can do now to save money in the event of a weather emergency. 

• See more CBS New York Investigations

Hurricane season do's and don'ts for homeowners

Jason Bartow, a licensed insurance agent and broker, has some do's for discounts.

"One of the carrier's biggest concerns is the condition and the age of a roof," he said.

If you have a well-maintained roof, do get a professional roof inspection.

Next, along with a security system and fire alarm, do install a water sensor and shut-off system.

"Water losses are severe," Bartow said.

• 2025 hurricane names include Andrea, Barry, Chantal. See the full list.

For serious savings, do compare rates, maintain your credit score, pay the premium up front, and consider using one company for both home and auto policies.

"The average deductible on a homeowner's policy is $500," Bartow said.

The higher your deductible, the greater your potential savings.

You also want to take pictures of all your valuables now in case you have to file a claim later. Remember, flooding happens even in a low-risk zone, and a typical homeowner's policy won't cover it.  

Don'ts matter too. Rethink filing small claims or adding high-risk additions, like pools or detached structures.

• Do you have a story that needs investigating? Let us know.

Some insurance carriers drop customers in Tri-State Area

It's not just big events like Superstorm Sandy or Hurricane Ida that homeowners need to worry about. Increasingly, the Tri-State Area is getting hit with more intense rainstorms, including a recent one that prompted a tornado warning in New Jersey. 

On the Jersey Shore, some insurance carriers are dropping customers.

"I was first quite angry," said Clinton Andrews, a professor at Rutgers University. "My insurance broker talked me down and we fairly quickly found another insurer."

Still, Andrews has concerns about the future.

"If one insurer can drop me, maybe another could," he said.

If you have questions about your insurance policy, send CBS News New York investigator Mahsa Saeidi an email at mahsa.saeidi@cbs.com.

Under New York law, subscription services require consent for automatic renewals and must provide a simple method to cancel. The attorney general's office found Equinox's subscription terms were not in compliance. 

"New Yorkers should be able to cancel a membership they no longer use or want without breaking a sweat," James said. "The Equinox Group made it challenging for customers to end their membership, costing them time and money. As a result of my office's settlement, New Yorkers can now cancel their membership with Equinox, SoulCycle, or any of Equinox Group's brands much faster."  

"Prior to being made aware of this inquiry, we had already begun to make changes to our terms and conditions in conformance with all statutory requirements, and our policies are in full compliance. We are pleased that this matter is resolved," an Equinox and SoulCycle spokesperson said.   

How to get the settlement money

Under the settlement, subscribers who filed complaints with the Equinox Group, the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission or the Office of the Attorney General between Feb. 9, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2024 are eligible for a refund of up to $250. New York Equinox, Equinox+ and SoulCycle members may also be eligible for $100 in restitution. In both cases, people must submit their request via email by Aug. 2. 

Equinox Gym and Equinox+ subscribers who tried to cancel their subscriptions during that time should email NewYorkAGclaims@equinox.com, and SoulCycle subscribers should email NewYorkAGclaims@soul-cycle.com. Requests must include the name of the subscriber along with the phone number or email on their account.

Suffolk County police and multiple banks are warning the public about alerts asking for pin numbers coming from made-up, and sometimes spoofed, bank fraud hotlines. 

"They're using AI-generated voice phone calls"

Criminals claiming to represent multiple banks are making phone calls telling customers they need new pin numbers and cards, investigators said.   

"Your bank account is under attack. Your cards don't work. We'll pick them up," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. "And guess what? Then they go to the machine and steal their money." 

Surveillance photos from Bohemia and Garden City show some of the alleged ringleaders, who experts said are targeting elderly and vulnerable victims. They're not just stealing their money, they taking away their trust and dignity, experts said. 

"They're always trying to stay a step ahead. They're using AI-generated voice phone calls," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. "They can spoof phone numbers." 

Woman targeted says she learned her lesson

A grandmother from Long Island said she learned her lesson after being targeted in multiple other schemes. She did not want to be identified in this story out of fear of retribution. 

"Tried to get into my bank account because he said there was some fraudulent activity ... It was a QR code," she said. "The scams come over the phone, too. You know, 'Hi grandma!' ... It came up PSEG, so of course I answered it. And it was, they were trying to get information from me, and I just said goodbye." 

Criminals almost took a sizable chunk from her bank account in an elaborate gift card scheme last year, according to police. 

"When you are prompted to give information, hang up," Suffolk County Chief of Detectives William Doherty said. 

The last time a fake call came in, the woman notified police and her bank, then told the person on the other end, "I'm sorry ... you can go on to your next scam." 

"The rice, the soy sauce, our entire menu is built off that! We're not importing fresh ingredients like vegetables, but everything else around it - spices, seasonings, even our beers. Now it's double. Who's going to pay $20 for a beer? It's impacting us every time we put food on the table," owner of Phoenix Palace Cory Ng said.

Trump tariffs impacting Chinatown businesses

The Trump administration slapped a 145% tariff on all Chinese imports, which has caused prices of goods to skyrocket. A 40-pound bag of rice used to go for $25, but now it has skyrocketed to $61.

"It's a trade war. They're puffing their chests to see who can puff it for longer without backing down," Ng said.  

Ng explained that he's desperately trying to avoid passing the rising costs onto his customers. He hopes the White House will realize how much the tariffs impact everyday Americans trying to make a living.

"Stuff that most people never had to think about becomes a big factor now all on top of the rise of living in general going up," Ng says.

Restaurant owners are scrambling to plan, and some of Ng's suppliers have said they may be shutting down for a few months to stay afloat in the long term.

"[The suppliers are] calling each other. They're asking the question, 'Hey, what are you going to do?' And no one has the right answer because it changes every day," Ng says.

"Chinatown is a resilient community"

Phoenix Palace draws from Ng's family history and he hopes that he can continue to invest in the community that made him who he is.

"We're just a community restaurant. I get it, a business is to make money, but it's not for us to have a collection of Rolexes. It's to take care of our family," Ng continues. "Remember what my grandma and my mom had to do for us to get here. Yeah, and that's the point of it, to remember where we come from. It's a privilege."

Ng says Chinatown will weather the storm of tariffs for the sake of the community and the people who came before him.

"The older generation that did it for us, their jerseys are in the rafters. They're retired. It's on us as a generation to hold the torch, keep the flame going," Ng says. "Chinatown is a resilient community. We've beaten so many things. We gotta continue on this path, this legacy, and never let that go in vain."  

Employees with the Laundry, Distribution, and Food Service Joint Board Workers United/SEIU, or LDFS Union, began their strike at four of five Manhattan Beer locations. Their contract expired at midnight. 

Workers turned out on the picket line at the MBBD's headquarters on East 149th Street in the Bronx. Others are picketing at MBBD facilities in Ridgewood, Queens, as well as in Wyandanch and Suffern. 

Why Manhattan Beer delivery workers are on strike

The workers allege unfair labor practices by Manhattan Beer related to the workers' pension fund. Strikers allege MBBD contacted them directly, trying to build support for a switch from a pension plan to a 401(k) plan. 

"We have our voice, our union to talk for us. I don't understand why they're coming to us individually trying to do this divide and conquer tactic. It's not happening," union member George Perez said. 

The National Labor Relations Board is investigating the allegations. 

Workers want other issues considered, too, such as additional helpers on trucks. They say deliveries in all kinds of weather can be back breaking. 

"Their job is not easy. Ran, snow, sleet, they are there. That is why they deserve to have something when they retire. Not a 401(k), goes up and down, and may not even be there when they're ready to retire," union representative Stanford Dempster said. 

Manhattan Beer: "Our doors remain open"

So what does this mean for New York City's bars and restaurants?

MBBD delivers to thousands of bars and retail outlets. They're the exclusive distributors of Corona, Modelo, Heineken and other popular brands. MBBD holds the distribution rights to some 300 brands of beer. 

Tuesday is usually beer deliver day of New Rochelle Farms, but empty spaces in the cooler won't be filled this week. 

Jose Felipe, the store's owner, worries his stock will dwindle quickly.

"Manhattan Beer is one of our major suppliers. They supply about 75-80 percent of our total beer variety. So this will be a big impact, especially with the brands of Modelo and Corona," Felipe said. "Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and we usually start stocking up next week. With the strike, it's really going to be impactful and hurt our business." 

"We're the backbone of Manhattan Beer & Beverage. We've helped it succeed. We deserve real retirement security, fair wages, and respect on the job. We're angry that they have been trying to sidestep our union and our bargaining committee on the critical issue of our pensions," beer delivery worker Joe Gonzalez, Jr. said. "No one should raise a glass to this kind of behavior." 

"Manhattan Beer has provoked this and brought us to a strike by trying to get around the union and bargaining directly with the workers. This is disrespectful, an unlawful slap in the face to these workers, and has made negotiations harder. The company should know better than to commit unfair labor practices," LDFS Union co-manager Alberto Arroyo said. 

Simon Bergson, president of Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distrubtors, has grown the company into a powerhouse since founding it with a single truck 45 years ago. 

"A small committee of union members has decided to proceed with this strike without putting forth our offer to a vote of the full membership. We have made a very compelling and attractive offer after several weeks of negotiations, and it is disappointing that the union has encouraged a strike without presenting this offer to its members," Bergson said. "Our doors remain open as some union members have already chosen to come to work. We are working for a swift resolution and hope for minimal disruption of services." 

For now, it's a beer bust, with no deliveries being made. 

We first heard from impacted brides nearly two months ago. Now, more couples are pushing to get their cherished memories. 

The photographer's attorney calls it an "unfortunate situation." 

"We paid $5,000. It took us so long to save that" 

Alessandra and Alexander Trenta started out as friends in middle school and now are happily married. 

"We've been together a long time. We've evolved together," Alexander said. 

"So many chapters," Alessandra said. 

Every chapter of their love story has been captured through photos. That's why choosing the perfect photographer for their wedding was incredibly important. 

They believed they found that in Christina Garcia of Wandering Stardust Collective, also known as Christina Hernandez Artistry. They signed a contract for 200 photos and edited videos for their November, 2024 wedding. 

"We paid $5,000. It took us so long to save that amount of money," the couple said. 

"Five thousand dollars included photos and videos, and you've just gotten three photos?" CBS News New York's Jenna DeAngelis asked. 

"That's it. That's all," Alessandra said. 

Her concerns began with her bridal shower, which she says Garcia was supposed to shoot. 

Alessandra alleged that she "confirmed with [Garcia] three, four times that she would be at my bridal shower and not only did she not show up, she did not call or text me to say she wasn't coming. She didn't actually follow up even the day after. I had to call her," adding, "she reassured us she would be at the wedding." 

On their wedding day, while Alessandra is getting ready, she received text messages from Garcia beginning "on my way." 

A short time later, Garcia texted her again. 

"I'm running a bit behind, due to running over something or whatever and my tire deflated, I am filling it now and I will be there ASAP," Garcia wrote, according to texts viewed by CBS News New York. She added another photographer is already at the venue. Garcia eventually arrived late. 

Two weeks later, Alessandra texted her, saying "I can't wait to see photos." 

It's been five months, and the Trentas still don't have their overdue photos from the big day, but they do have a thread of text messages with explanations ranging from an internet outage to health scares. 

"I couldn't think about anything else during this whole ordeal, I couldn't. I was so distraught, disgusted, violated, vulnerable," the Trentas told DeAngelis. 

"It makes me feel taken advantage of"

Apparently, they're not alone. In February, CBS News New York sat down with two women who shared similar stories. Since then, the New Jersey attorney general's office says its Division of Consumer Affairs has received six complaints against Wandering Stardust Collective. The Pennsylvania AG has a total of 11 complaints. 

"I hope there is some kind of repercussion for her actions," Pennsylvania newlywed Kerrie Sartor said. 

Sartor and her husband plan to file a complaint too. They say they're still waiting for all the photos they paid for. 

"The replacement photographer told us about this group on Facebook who are all having the same issues," Sartor said. 

Rosa Cherry is a member of that group. 

"It makes me feel taken advantage of, duped. I mean, I later found out she booked three different brides on the same day as my wedding. There was no way she could possibly show up to all of our weddings. Nevermind - she didn't show up to any of them," Cherry believes. 

At the last minute, Cherry said a different photographer arrived in Garcia's place. Cherry's grateful her cousin took some photos, because so far she's only received 30 of the 200 photos owed to her by Garcia, and still, no edited video. 

"A little devastated. I'll never get those 270 people in one room ever again at the same time," Cherry said. 

Garcia's attorney responds

An attorney representing Garcia declined an interview but said in a statement, in part: 

This is an unfortunate situation where the owner of a successful small business faced a perfect storm that included a health emergency regarding her husband, significant technological issues, and becoming so sought after that there were not enough hours in the day for her to finish her work as promptly as she would have liked. Mrs. Garcia has been making efforts from day one to do right by her clients and plans to continue doing so.

"If you have stuff going on, OK, nobody is going to say you don't," the Trentas told DeAngelis. "At the end of the day, we signed a contract. You showed up to my wedding. Where are my pictures?"