“In these tough fiscal times, millions of taxpayer dollars are lost every year due to people filing false claims against New York City,” Comptroller Thompson said in the spots. “That money should be going to schools, hospitals and other vital services.”

During calendar year 2001, New York City paid out more than $602 million in settlements and judgments. In addition, a Price Waterhouse study in 1997 indicated that 10 percent of all claims that are paid out by New York City are fraudulent.

The Comptroller’s office is combating claims fraud in other ways. The City’s Law Department, the Department of Investigation, and the Comptroller’s office have formed a Claims Fraud Task Force, which jointly targets potentially fraudulent claims. The Comptroller also has started training employees on ways to develop fraud cases and has hired a Director of Fraud Investigations to oversee the fraud process.

The Comptroller reminded the citizens of New York City that if they knew of anyone committing claims fraud, they should call his hotline at (212) 669-4747 or e-mail claimfraud@comptroller.nyc.gov. The hotline and e-mail are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All tips are confidential.

The ads will air on television and radio stations in New York City.

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