New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a consumer warning after a group using the name “Jewish Holocaust Claims Center” allegedly contacted Holocaust survivors and their relatives, asking them to file compensation claims — a move that has raised red flags among state officials over a possible fraud scheme.
The New York State Department of Financial Services said it was unable to confirm the organization’s identity, the legitimacy of its services, or whether it had any lawful authority to operate, and has since turned the matter over to law enforcement.
Officials also alerted the website’s hosting company about the group’s online presence, after which the site was taken down.
In addition, the department said it referred the case to the inspectors general for New York, New Jersey and the U.S. Postal Service for further review.
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“Scamming and stealing from Holocaust survivors and their families is the lowest of the lows,” Hochul said, vowing that her administration would work to protect survivors and help ensure they receive the support, property and compensation they are legally owed.
Kaitlin Asrow, the department’s acting superintendent, advised Holocaust survivors and their families to treat unsolicited claims assistance with caution and to verify any offer independently before sharing personal details or financial information.
The state’s Holocaust Claims Processing Office, created in 1997, helps Holocaust victims and their heirs pursue the recovery of lost assets, including bank accounts, insurance payments and cultural property.
The office provides its services free of charge and, according to the department, has helped return more than $184 million in assets to victims’ families while also recovering 356 cultural objects.
