Report Telemarketing & Pyramid Scams - Corona NY

Business and Consumer Protection New York 4 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of New York

In Corona, New York, consumers can report telemarketing calls, online fraud, and pyramid schemes to municipal and state authorities as soon as possible. This guide explains where to file complaints, what evidence to gather, how enforcement works, and the steps local residents and small businesses should follow to seek refunds, stop unwanted calls, and support investigations.

Start by preserving messages, receipts and screenshots before you contact authorities.

Where to report

Begin locally with New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) complaint tools and 311 for immediate neighborhood support. For state-level enforcement and investigations into deceptive conduct or pyramid schemes, file with the New York State Attorney General. To alert federal regulators about cross-state scams, use the Federal Trade Commission reporting portal.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement may be undertaken by multiple authorities depending on the scope: DCWP enforces city consumer protection rules; the New York State Attorney General brings civil enforcement actions for deceptive and fraudulent business practices; the FTC pursues federal actions for interstate telemarketing and pyramid schemes. Specific fine amounts and statutory penalty figures are not consistently listed on the cited municipal complaint portals and therefore are not specified on the cited page for each local filing route.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal complaint page; state or federal fines depend on the statute and case facts.
  • Escalation: first or repeat offences and continuing violations are handled case-by-case; specific escalation schedules are not specified on the cited municipal complaint page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease and desist, restitution to victims, asset freezes and injunctive relief may be sought by state or federal enforcers.
  • Enforcers and pathways: DCWP/311 for local complaints; NY Attorney General for state investigations; FTC for interstate scams and pyramid schemes.
  • Appeals and review: administrative or court review pathways depend on the enforcing agency; time limits for appeals are specified in agency orders or statutes and are not specified on the cited municipal complaint page.
Do not delete call logs or messages before filing a complaint as they are primary evidence.

Applications & Forms

The city complaint portal provides an online consumer complaint form for DCWP; the New York State Attorney General and the FTC also publish web forms for consumer complaints. If a specific local permit or form is required for business exceptions, that requirement is not specified on the cited municipal complaint page.

  • DCWP consumer complaint form: submit online via the NYC complaint page; no fee to file.
  • NY Attorney General consumer portal: online complaint submission for deceptive practices and pyramid scheme claims.
  • FTC report site: federal reporting form; no fee.

Action steps to report a telemarketing or pyramid scam

  • Gather evidence: call logs, caller ID, timestamps, recordings (if lawful), transaction receipts, screenshots and any offer materials.
  • File locally with DCWP/NYC311 to report neighborhood impact and request local follow-up.[1]
  • File a complaint with the New York State Attorney General for deceptive schemes or where monetary loss occurred.[2]
  • Report to the FTC for interstate telemarketing or pyramid/multi‑level marketing concerns and to help federal enforcement and consumer alerts.[3]
  • Preserve records and follow up within 30–90 days with the filing agencies if you have not received confirmation; specific agency timelines vary.

FAQ

How quickly should I report a telemarketing or pyramid scam?
Report as soon as possible after you suspect fraud; preserve evidence immediately and file complaints with DCWP/311, the NY Attorney General, and the FTC based on the scam scope.
Will I get my money back if I report?
Restitution may be ordered by prosecutors or civil enforcers but is not guaranteed; file promptly to increase chances and provide clear transaction evidence.
Can I stop the calls now?
You can block numbers, register on the national Do Not Call Registry for federal protection, and report persistent calls to local and state authorities while filing complaints.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: export call logs, save messages, capture screenshots of offers and receipts.
  2. File a DCWP/311 complaint online to document local impact and request investigation.[1]
  3. Submit a state complaint to the New York Attorney General with transaction details and copies of evidence.[2]
  4. Report to the FTC to add your case to federal data and assist in potential nationwide enforcement.[3]
  5. Follow up on each filing, keep records of confirmation numbers, and respond to agency requests for additional information.

Key Takeaways

  • Preserve evidence immediately and file with DCWP/311 for local action.
  • Report to the New York Attorney General for deceptive or monetary-loss matters.
  • Use the FTC portal for interstate schemes and to help federal enforcement efforts.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection complaint form
  2. [2] New York State Attorney General consumer complaint
  3. [3] Federal Trade Commission report fraud portal

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