Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S., costing 9.9 million Americans nearly $5 billion last year, according to the U.S. Postal Service. To protect yourself and your family, follow these simple, but important, steps in your everyday life.

• Avoid carrying extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport in your wallet or purse.

• Do not provide personal information to any person or company that initiates contact with you. Only provide personal information to people that you contact directly. Pay special attention to e-mails and phone calls you receive - even if it’s from what appears to be a reputable company.

• Confirm if personal information is required to open an account or complete a transaction. If it isn’t, don’t give it.

• Keep your PINs random. Don’t use obvious passwords or PIN codes, such as your birth date, your Social Security number, or your mother’s maiden name.

• Keep your personal information, such as bills, passports, or Social Security cards, in a secure location.

• Get your mail ASAP; pick up your incoming mail as soon as possible. If you are going away, put your mail on hold or arrange for it to be picked up.

• Cancel any unused credit cards. Keep only what you need.

Get news and consumer protection initiative information at www.consumer.gov

• Protect your Social Security number! Only give it if you are confident that the information is going to a secure, legitimate, and reputable organization.

• Review your consumer credit reports annually to be sure you’re aware of any and all activity.

• Shred and destroy any unwanted documents that contain personal information – including credit card offers!

MONITORING YOUR CREDIT FOR FREE

New York residents can now order one free credit report every year from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to monitor any activity on your credit report from all three of the bureaus: Experian, Equifax and/or TransUnion.

Reports can also be ordered online at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228. Also, the Annual Credit Report Request form can be printed off www.ftc.gov and mailed to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

PRE-EMPT THE PRE-APPROVALS

Nobody likes getting junk mail. If you have had your fill of “You’ve been pre-approved,” you can tell them to stop sending these offers. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to “opt out” of receiving future “pre-approved” or “pre-screened” solicitations for credit or insurance. Simply call (888) 5OPTOUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.

INTERNET DRUG PRICING – FIND THE BEST PRICES ONLINE

Consumers can search for the best prescription drug prices online, and can visit www.nyagrx.org to find pharmacies and compare prices.

Last year, the Legislature passed a law to establish an even more comprehensive Web site, and Assemblymember Cook will follow through to ensure this year’s budget provides the funding to get the registry off the ground – helping New Yorkers comparison shop for the best prices and save money on prescriptions.

FURTHER PROTECTING CONSUMERS

Preventing “Phishing” The Assembly passed legislation making it easier to prosecute thieves who use deceiving e-mails, pop-up ads or SPAM to rob consumers (A.8025-C).

Securing Breach Notification Businesses and government agencies are now required to give consumers adequate notice when a security breach that could publicize personal information takes place, so consumers can take protective measures.

Wireless Telephone Directory A law was enacted that prohibits companies or individuals from getting your cell phone number for the stated purpose of creating a wireless telephone directory.

This information will help to protect your privacy and ensure you have access to the accurate information you need to make informed decisions regarding your finances.

Assemblymember Cook Announces Permanent End to State Sales Tax on Clothing

Assemblymember Cook announced that New Yorkers will finally see the state’s 4% sales tax on clothing and footwear eliminated on April 1.

The regressive state sales tax on clothing and footwear costs working families hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Since several other states have made clothing purchases exempt from state sales tax, New York businesses found it hard to compete for shoppers. The repeal of this tax will encourage people to shop at local businesses, which in turn will help the entire area’s economy grow.

Effective Saturday, April 1, the state’s 4 % sales tax on clothing and footwear items under $110 will be eliminated. This will mean a total of $600 million in savings statewide. The Assembly rejected the governor’s and Senate’s proposed budgets which would have extended the sales tax, while giving new tax breaks to wealthy New Yorkers.

The tax on clothing and shoes was temporarily imposed following the Sept. 11 economic downturn, but the state now has a multi-billion dollar surplus. The emergency that forced this temporary tax is over. We no longer need to collect it. Everywhere we look, prices are going up, whether it’s gas prices, energy costs, tuition or health care. The Assembly Majority turned back repeated attempts to continue this tax and insisted we simply let the tax expire as scheduled, saving working families more of their hard-earned money.

Assemblymember Cook Continues Efforts to Promote Summer Reading for Children, Families and Friends

I am pleased to endorse the Assembly’s 2006 Summer Reading Challenge as a great way to spend a vacation.

Wherever you are this summer, at the beach or park, in the car on the way to see friends or traveling across the country, it’s a perfect time to open a book and read about any subject.

The New York State Assembly helps children and parents pick up the reading habit through its annual Summer Reading Challenge program. To earn a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate, children read with a parent for 15 minutes a day, for at least 40 days during July and August.

This is probably less time than a youngster spends getting dressed in the morning. Kids can learn about dinosaurs, the American Civil War, or read the biography of their favorite baseball player. Reading improves speech, vocabulary, pronunciation and listening. It’s a good way to spend time with family and friends. I guarantee that once you start reading, it will become a hobby, and one you will look forward to doing. The key is to find something you enjoy reading.

Libraries can help families participate in the Reading Challenge. The Legislature’s 2006-2007 budget includes $5.7 million for libraries to keep their resources current, which will help assist local libraries. It also provides $14 million for capital projects to help local libraries modernize facilities and invest in new educational technology.

Public libraries connect students to knowledge and reading matters. Children who read do better in other subjects, and can better analyze, think and cope in our increasingly complex world.

For information about the Assembly’s 2006 Summer Reading Challenge, you may contact me at (718) 322-3975 or send an e-mail to Cookv@assembly.state.ny.us. Thank you for participating in the Assembly’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Assemblymember Cook Announces Televised Legislative Sessions to Expand

Assemblymember Cook announced that “New York State Legislative Proceedings” – unedited gavel-to-gavel coverage of both the Senate and Assembly – will appear on Time Warner New York City on channel 156.

“Expanding the televising of sessions is another example of the Assembly’s ongoing efforts to improve the way we do business. In addition, conference committee meetings and basic information about legislators will be broadcast. Coverage of sessions has been available via the Internet for four years. Expanding to cable television will help even more New Yorkers stay informed on the issues that affect their lives,” stated Assemblymember Cook.

The broadcasts of Assembly sessions, the first of the houses to go on the air back in 2001, will continue on the Assembly Web site.

This program will go a long way toward the Assembly’s efforts to create a statewide, full-service public affairs cable channel devoted to state government. This reform will fundamentally change for the better the way New York’s government operates by increasing transparency and bringing legislative proceedings to people’s living rooms.

This latest Assembly initiative builds on our commitment to open up state government.

For more information regarding televised sessions, local air times, or to watch proceedings online, click here.

Interest rates on student loans to rise July 1st – Assemblymember Cook urges student borrowers to consolidate before rates go up

Assemblymember Cook is advising both student and parent borrowers to consider consolidating student loans to lock in lower interest rates before a scheduled increase on July 1st.

In February, Congress cut $12 million from student loan programs – slashing subsidies to lenders and raising interest rates. Back in 2002, Congress set a higher fixed rate of 6.8 percent for Stafford loans. The higher interest rates come just as many students and parents are already struggling to cope with rising tuition costs. These increases create more obstacles to an affordable college education.

“While President Bush and Congress have slashed federal funding for educational loans, I along with my colleagues in the Assembly, have fought to ensure that students have access to an affordable college education. The Assembly stood up for students and working families across New York State by overriding the governor’s devastating vetoes of funding for colleges and universities.

“I am committed to providing access to a quality education. Cutting higher education programs and raising interest rates on student loans is not the answer. We cannot balance the budget on the backs of students,” stated Assemblymember Cook.

Loan consolidation may be the best answer to meeting the rising interest rates and increased debt that so many students are facing. When loans are consolidated, the interest rates of the loans are averaged together, giving the student a new interest rate. This often results in a lower interest rate, monthly payments and overall debt amount. More importantly, once loans are consolidated, interest rates are locked in, so student loan borrowers will not be affected by subsequent rate increases.

“I encourage anyone with student loans to explore his or her consolidation options. Under the proper circumstances consolidation can save parents and students thousands,” stated Assemblymember Cook. Student loan borrowers should contact the institution carrying their loans to find out if consolidation is right for them.