‘Lowest of lows’: NY governor warns about scam targeting Holocaust survivors

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issues a warning about a financial scam targeting Holocaust survivors.

An entity calling itself the “Jewish Holocaust Claims Center,” or “JHCC,” has sent unsolicited fraudulent messages to survivors and their families, Hochul says.

The messages urge the recipients to submit claims for compensation, Hochul’s statement says.

It wasn’t clear how the scam worked or how many victims there were.

The state’s Holocaust Claims Processing Office helps survivors and their heirs recover assets, such as artwork and bank deposits, that were lost during the Holocaust, but does not charge for its services.

The state’s Department of Financial Services was unable to verify the identity or legitimacy of the Jewish Holocaust Claims Center and referred the scam to law enforcement, Hochul says.

The department has also issued a consumer notice to survivors and their families to be cautious when contacted about restitution services.

The entity’s website was reported to its hosting provider and has been removed, the statement says.

“Scamming and stealing from Holocaust survivors and their families is the lowest of lows,” Hochul says. “I’m committed to ensuring New York State protects survivors.”