Tag:

Gift Cards

White Plains, NY
News
Check Your Name: $453M In Unclaimed Funds Awaits Westchester Residents, Officials Say Check Your Name: $453M In Unclaimed Funds Awaits Westchester Residents, Officials Say
Check Your Name: $453M In Unclaimed Funds Awaits Westchester Residents, Officials Say If you're strapped for cash, you may want to check if Westchester County owes you money — hundreds of millions of dollars are waiting to be claimed by people and organizations, officials said.  County Executive Ken Jenkins and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said Wednesday, Sept. 17, that Westchester residents, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions have about $453 million in unclaimed funds currently on the books.  "Too often, people don’t realize they’re owed money—and the truth is, you could be one of them," Jenkins said, adding, "Westchester resi…

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by Ben Crnic
Hartford, CT
Business
Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects
Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects Holiday shoppers are expected to spend less in 2025, marking the first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey. PricewaterhouseCoopers released its 2025 Holiday Outlook on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The financial firm found that Americans plan to spend an average of $1,552 over the holidays, down 5% from 2024. Gift budgets are taking the biggest hit, dropping 11% to $721, as consumers pull back on shopping amid President Donald Trump's widespread tariffs. "People are going to keep shopping, but with continuing concerns about tariffs and elevated prices (especially on electr…

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by Chris Spiker
Ballston Spa, NY
Business
Ballston Spa Restaurant Closing After 23 Years: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You' Ballston Spa Restaurant Closing After 23 Years: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You'
Ballston Spa Restaurant Closing After 23 Years: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You' A neighborhood favorite in Saratoga County is saying goodbye after 23 years of serving comforting meals and lasting friendships. Abeel’s Restaurant, a family-run spot in Ballston Spa known for its warm atmosphere and elevated comfort food, will officially close its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 30, owners Tony and Julie Abeel announced in a heartfelt message to customers on Facebook. “After 27 wonderful years in business, we’ve made the heartfelt decision to retire,” the post read. “It’s time for us to begin a new chapter and enjoy more time with our families and friends.” Tony and Julie have op…

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by Michael Mashburn
Manchester, CT
Business
Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing Stores Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing Stores
Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing Stores A popular home goods retailer is declaring bankruptcy, citing President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and a significant drop in consumer spending. At Home has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Dallas-area company announced on Monday, June 16. The retailer said it reached a deal with lenders to eliminate nearly $2 billion in debt and receive a $200 million capital infusion. The move will allow At Home to continue operating during the court-supervised restructuring process. "We are continuing to offer the home furnishing pairings that customers expect to find at our store…

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by Chris Spiker
Carmel, NY
Business
Curtain Call: Theater To Close After 15 Years In Carmel Curtain Call: Theater To Close After 15 Years In Carmel
Curtain Call: Theater To Close After 15 Years In Carmel After 15 years of entertaining moviegoers in Putnam County, a movie theater has announced it will close its doors for good toward the end of May.  In a social media post shared Wednesday, April 30, the Carmel Cinema, located at 150 Route 52 in the ShopRite Plaza, confirmed that its final day of business will be Thursday, May 29, 2025.  “We regret to inform you that the cinema will be closing at the end of the month,” the post read, thanking loyal customers for their support: “Thank you again for allowing us to experience the magic of movies with you these past 15 years.”  M…

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by Ben Crnic
Media, PA
Police & Fire
FBI Impersonator Scams Trail Creek Outfitters Out Of Nearly $2K In Delco: PSP FBI Impersonator Scams Trail Creek Outfitters Out Of Nearly $2K In Delco: PSP
FBI Impersonator Scams Trail Creek Outfitters Out Of Nearly $2K In Delco: PSP A store manager was duped out of nearly $2,000 by a phone scammer pretending to be an FBI agent in Concord Township, Pennsylvania State Police announced in a release issued Monday, April 21. The impersonator called Trail Creek Outfitters on Wilmington West Chester Pike around 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, and instructed the manager to buy several Green Dot MoneyPak gift cards totaling $1,845.80, PSP Media troopers said. In addition to the gift cards, the actor convinced the 34-year-old victim from Landenberg to send $880 via CashApp to the handle "$Bigmomma4120" (stansmon), according to the…

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by Jillian Pikora
Stony Point, NY
Police & Fire
$1.4K In Gift Cards Bought With Counterfeit Cash In Stony Point: Police $1.4K In Gift Cards Bought With Counterfeit Cash In Stony Point: Police
$1.4K In Gift Cards Bought With Counterfeit Cash In Stony Point: Police A 27-year-old man faces numerous charges after allegedly spending over a thousand dollars in counterfeit cash to buy gift cards at a Rockland County Walgreens store, police said.  Brooklyn resident Myles Rowley was arrested on Tuesday, March 4, in connection with the use of counterfeit cash at a Walgreens store in Stony Point in August 2022, the Stony Point Police Department announced on Friday, March 7.  Police say Rowley was one of four suspects involved in an August 10, 2022 incident where $1,440 in counterfeit US currency was used to purchase gift cards at a Walgreens in Stony…

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by Ben Crnic
Mineola, NY
News
Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Scheme Busted In Nassau County: DA Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Scheme Busted In Nassau County: DA
Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Scheme Busted In Nassau County: DA A sophisticated multi-million-dollar money laundering scheme that used fraudulently obtained gift cards to purchase goods for resale has been dismantled, Nassau County authorities announced on Thursday, March 6. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder revealed that multiple individuals were arrested in connection with the scheme, which targeted victims nationwide through a computer scam. The suspects allegedly tricked victims into purchasing gift cards under false pretenses, then used them to buy merchandise at various home improvement retail s…

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by Jillian Pikora
Cortlandt, NY
Police & Fire
$64K In Gift Cards Stolen From ShopRite By Former Employee In Croton-On-Hudson: Police $64K In Gift Cards Stolen From ShopRite By Former Employee In Croton-On-Hudson: Police
$64K In Gift Cards Stolen From ShopRite By Former Employee In Croton-On-Hudson: Police A former ShopRite employee from Dutchess County has been charged after allegedly stealing $64,100 worth of gift cards from a Westchester store, police announced. Laura Picozzi, 33, of Fishkill, was taken into custody on Thursday, Jan. 30, following an investigation by Croton-on-Hudson Police into the theft of 151 gift cards from the ShopRite located at 460 South Riverside Ave., the department announced on Monday, March 3.  According to authorities, ShopRite loss prevention officers first alerted police to the theft in January. After reviewing the case, detectives identified Picozzi—a f…

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by Ben Crnic
Putnam Valley, NY
News
Firefighter Loses Home In Putnam Valley Blaze: Department Asks For Help From Community Firefighter Loses Home In Putnam Valley Blaze: Department Asks For Help From Community
Firefighter Loses Home In Putnam Valley Blaze: Department Asks For Help From Community A Putnam County community is coming together to support a local firefighter and his family after their home was destroyed in a tragic fire.  The blaze occurred in Putnam Valley on Monday, Feb. 10, at 165 Peekskill Hollow Rd., and destroyed a home belonging to Fire Police Officer Juan Garcia and his family, Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department President James Apostolico said on Tuesday, Feb. 11.  In an official statement, Apostolico thanked residents for their kindness and generosity during this difficult time. "We are deeply touched by the outpouring of support from …

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by Ben Crnic
Bay Shore, NY
Business
'With Much Sadness' Bay Shore Restaurant Closing After Year In Business 'With Much Sadness' Bay Shore Restaurant Closing After Year In Business
'With Much Sadness' Bay Shore Restaurant Closing After Year In Business Long Island is set to lose a Southern-inspired favorite. American Standard Whiskey Bar & Grill – located at 53 West Main Street in Bay Shore – will hold its last dinner service on New Year’s Eve, the restaurant announced on Instagram. Known for its “Southern-inspired food and cocktails,” the eatery opened its doors in the summer of 2023 as a collaborative effort between Costa Verde, a local restaurant group, and brothers Jake and Ricky Guadagno. “It is with much sadness that we announce that New Year’s Eve will be our last service at American Standard,” the business said. “We want to …

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by Michael Mashburn
Carmel, NY
Police & Fire
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents Authorities are warning Hudson Valley residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s office personnel and demand payment via gift cards.  The scam has been reported in Putnam County, the county's Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Nov. 22. According to authorities, the caller claims to be “Sergeant Cook” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and falsely states that the recipient failed to respond to a jury summons. The scammer then threatens that a warrant will be issued for the recipient’s arrest unless they pay using gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office emphasi…

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by Ben Crnic
Norwalk, CT
Business
LL Flooring Files For Bankruptcy, To Close 4 CT Stores, Including Norwalk LL Flooring Files For Bankruptcy, To Close 4 CT Stores, Including Norwalk
LL Flooring Files For Bankruptcy, To Close 4 CT Stores, Including Norwalk With some 300 stores nationally, the mega-floor retailer LL Flooring has filed for bankruptcy and announced it plans to close at least 90 stores, including four in Connecticut. According to a statement from LL Flooring, the stores being closed in Connecticut include Fairfield County in Norwalk and New Haven County in Milford, North Haven, and Waterbury. The business said the three remaining stores in Danbury, Waterford, and Harford will remain open. Charles Tyson, president and CEO of LL Flooring, said, “After comprehensive efforts to enhance our liquidity position in a challenging ma…

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by Kathy Reakes
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Business
'We Gave It Everything': Dog-Themed Bar Permanently Closing In Atlantic City 'We Gave It Everything': Dog-Themed Bar Permanently Closing In Atlantic City
'We Gave It Everything': Dog-Themed Bar Permanently Closing In Atlantic City A Philadelphia bar and restaurant is shutting down its Atlantic City location a little more than a year after opening near O'Donnell Memorial Park. In a Facebook post on Monday, Aug. 5, Good Dog Bar announced it was permanently closing its restaurant at 3426 Atlantic Avenue. The bar's final day of operation is Sunday, Aug. 11. Owners Heather Gleason and Dave Garry said financial issues made it impossible to keep Good Dog running in Atlantic City. "We gave it everything we had but the sales are just not there to sustain the business," the married couple wrote. "We are honored…

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by Chris Spiker
Brentwood, NY
Business
'Last Call:' Long Island Restaurant Closes After 24 Years 'Last Call:' Long Island Restaurant Closes After 24 Years
'Last Call:' Long Island Restaurant Closes After 24 Years  A beloved restaurant with a long history will be closing down to make way for a new eatery. Argyle Grill & Tavern, located at 90 Deer Park Avenue in Babylon, announced that its last day in business will be Sunday, June 30. “We will be making last call at The Argyle,” the restaurant wrote in an Instagram post. “In our closing days here at…we would like to take this time to thank our friends, our families, our amazing staff, the village of Babylon, and most importantly you, who are some of the most incredible guests we have had the pleasure of serving over the last 24 years.” Ac…

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by Sophie Grieser
New Rochelle, NY
News
Update: Over $13K In Firearms Collected At Gun Buyback Event In New Rochelle Update: Over $13K In Firearms Collected At Gun Buyback Event In New Rochelle
Update: Over $13K In Firearms Collected At Gun Buyback Event In New Rochelle More than $13,750 was given to those who gave up their firearms during a gun buyback event held in Westchester to mark the beginning of National Gun Violence Awareness Month.  During the event, held on Saturday, June 1 at Shiloh Baptist Church in New Rochelle, a total of $13,750 in gift cards were given to residents who surrendered shotguns, handguns, and rifles, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced. Earlier Report - No Questions Asked: Gun Buyback Event To Be Held In New Rochelle A total of 75 guns were collected, officials added. "I am proud to kick…

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by Ben Crnic
Rivertowns, NY
News
Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Greenburgh-Graham District, DA Says Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Greenburgh-Graham District, DA Says
Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Greenburgh-Graham District, DA Says A former superintendent and security system specialist face corruption charges after allegedly stealing thousands from the Westchester school district they served and using the funds to buy luxury items for themselves, officials announced. Former Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District Superintendent Oliver Levy, age 55, and the district's former security specialist, Surendra Kumar, age 47, were both arrested and arraigned on Thursday, May 30 in connection with the scheme, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli ann…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
News
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Federal authorities are sounding the alarm over scams that impersonate well-known businesses and government agencies.  In 2023, data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alone show more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. That amounts to nearly half the frauds reported directly to the agency, the FTC said. Combined, reported losses to these impersonation scams topped $1.1 billion for the year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. Reports show an increasingly blurred line between busine…

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by Joe Lombardi
Pascack Valley, NJ
Business
Melting Pot Of Westwood Closes After 21 Years Melting Pot Of Westwood Closes After 21 Years
Melting Pot Of Westwood Closes After 21 Years A popular fondue restaurant is leaving Bergen County. Melting Pot of Westwood announced it will be closing on Sunday, June 2. No reason was given for the closure. "We would like to thank our many loyal guests; it has been a pleasure serving you all these years and we are grateful for your business," the restaurant wrote on its website.  "Often, family celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or other happy occasions, I hope we played our part. Not to forget the many engagements in our Lovers’ Lane section." The restaurant said gift cards can be redeemed at other loca…

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by Sam Barron
Allentown, PA
Police & Fire
Troopers Seek Serial Wallet Thief In Lehigh County Troopers Seek Serial Wallet Thief In Lehigh County
Troopers Seek Serial Wallet Thief In Lehigh County Pennsylvania State Police are looking for the suspect in a series of wallet thefts at Lower Macungie stores.  The pictured man is accused of taking the wallet from a Costco shopper's purse on Friday, Feb. 23. Authorities believe he went to the nearby Target at 749 North Krocks Road and used the victim's credit card to buy $2,500 of American Express and MasterCard gift cards.  He's also a suspect in three similar incidents at Lower Macungie retail stores, including:  At Costco on Sept. 8, 2023 At Walmart on Feb. 3 At Walmart on Feb. 16  Anyone who can identify…

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by Mac Bullock
Mahopac, NY
Police & Fire
Scammer Posing As Pastor, Asking For Gift Cards In Hudson Valley, Police Warn Scammer Posing As Pastor, Asking For Gift Cards In Hudson Valley, Police Warn
Scammer Posing As Pastor, Asking For Gift Cards In Hudson Valley, Police Warn Authorities in the region are warning residents to be aware of a scammer who has been posing as a pastor to convince victims to send them gift cards.  The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating several incidents of the scam, authorities announced.  According to the Sheriff's Office, the scheme consists of a scammer calling residents and pretending to be a pastor from an unidentified church in Carmel.  The scammer will then ask the victims to send them gift cards by taking pictures of the ID numbers with their cellphones, sheriff's deputies said. Anyone wh…

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by Ben Crnic
Fairfax, VA
Business
Lidl Weeks Away From Opening Latest Northern VA Store Lidl Weeks Away From Opening Latest Northern VA Store
Lidl Weeks Away From Opening Latest Northern VA Store Lidl has an opening date for its latest northern Virginia store. The German, budget grocer will be coming to Chantilly Crossing Lane in Chantilly on Wednesday, May 3, will receive gift cards worth up to $100. A raffle for a $500 gift card will also be held. Free samples, Lidl swag and other goodies are also in the mix. The Chantilly store is nearly six years in the making, having been proposed in 2017. Headquartered in Arlington, the discount grocer has more than 30 stores in Virginia. 

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by Cecilia Levine
Hampden-Silver Spring, PA
Police & Fire
SEEN THEM? Women Try Racking Up $7K Bill With Stolen Credit Cards In Camp Hill SEEN THEM? Women Try Racking Up $7K Bill With Stolen Credit Cards In Camp Hill
Seen Them? Women Try Racking Up $7K Bill With Stolen Credit Cards In Camp Hill Two women who tried to buy nearly $7,000 in items--mostly gift cards-- along Carlisle Pike are wanted by police. Lower Allen Township Police Department responded to a call of a stolen wallet from a purse at Weis Market on Lowther Road in Camp Hill on Jan. 31. The woman told police when she went to pay, that’s when she realized her wallet was missing. She believed that someone took her wallet while she was distracted selecting items off of the shelves. Then the woman started to receive text alerts from her bank about purchases and attempted purchases. The first was at Walmart on Carlisl…

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by Jillian Pikora
North Hunterdon, NJ
Police & Fire
'Don't Fall For It,' Hackettstown Police Warn After Elderly Woman Scammed Out Of $2.2K 'Don't Fall For It,' Hackettstown Police Warn After Elderly Woman Scammed Out Of $2.2K
'Don't Fall For It,' Hackettstown Police Warn After Elderly Woman Scammed Out Of $2.2K Hackettstown police are warning the public of scammers after an elderly woman apparently lost more than $2,000 to one. The 82-year-old victim got an email that she believed was from Apple Inc., in reference to a charge on her account from a game she purchased Sept. 2, local police said. The victim never purchased a game, so she called the company and spoke to a woman regarding the alleged charge. The woman instructed the victim to go to a nearby store and purchase Apple gift cards, while remaining on the phone.  And so, the victim left for the store. When she got there, there weren't…

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by Cecilia Levine
Cliffside Park-Edgewater, NJ
Police & Fire
Edgewater Defendant Indicted In $12M Go-Go Bar Theft Ring Edgewater Defendant Indicted In $12M Go-Go Bar Theft Ring
Edgewater Defendant Indicted In $12M Go-Go Bar Theft Ring An Edgewater man conspired with the owner of a shuttered go-go bar to use stolen credit card information – and illegally acquired gift cards – to steal more than $12 million, authorities said. Kevin Bae, 30, shared a bank account with the Morris County bar owner “into which millions of dollars were transferred” through the scheme, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Friday. They generated the money through a variety of scams, including scaring elderly people over the phone into buying gift cards by pretending to be a grandchild who was in jail and needed bail money, Grewal said. The own…

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by Jerry DeMarco