Big Apple seeks tattletale neighbors to reduce lawsuits
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Comptroller William Thompson is shown in the advertisement.
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Cash-strapped New York City wants to cut down on money-wasting fraudulent legal claims, and is asking residents to snitch on neighbors who try such scams.
The city has set up a tip line and an e-mail address for city residents to use if they have information about their neighbors who they think may be filing false lawsuits.
City Comptroller William Thompson is featured in a television and radio campaign to promote the program.
"In these tough fiscal times, millions of taxpayer dollars are lost every year due to people filing false claims against New York City," Thompson says in the 30-second television ad. The radio ad runs one minute.
More than $600 million was paid out by the city in settlements and judgments in 2001, according to Scott Taffet, a spokesman for the comptroller's office. Taffett added that according to the most recent study -- from 1997 by auditors Pricewaterhouse Coopers -- 10 percent of lawsuits filed against the city are fraudulent.
A claims fraud task force has been created to help develop fraud cases and a director of investigations has been hired to oversee the process.
Information given through the tip line (212-669-4747) and e-mail address (claimfraud@comptroller.nyc.gov) will be confidential. The ads are airing on television and radio stations in New York City.
