October 20, 2026
New York is distributing more than 2 billion dollars in STAR property tax relief to roughly 3 million homeowners this fall, and state officials are warning that scammers are targeting the program. According to New York's Division of Consumer Protection, scam texts, calls and emails tend to spike every STAR and rebate season.
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According to New York State officials, more than 2 billion dollars in STAR property tax relief is going to roughly 3 million homeowners this fall. STAR (School Tax Relief) reduces the school tax portion of a homeowner's property tax bill. The 2026 benefits roll out on a schedule tied to local school tax due dates, with checks and direct deposits going out through the fall. Most homeowners receive a few hundred dollars, and seniors receive more, so the exact amount and timing depend on your home and your school tax due date.
New York's Division of Consumer Protection has warned that scam texts, calls and emails tend to spike during STAR and rebate season. Money is moving to millions of households at the same time, so scammers have a believable reason to contact almost anyone who owns a home. A message about a STAR check can look routine to a homeowner who is already expecting one.
Some companies with official sounding names offer, by letter, ad or phone, to enroll homeowners in STAR for a fee. Signing up for STAR is completely free, and homeowners can do it themselves at tax.ny.gov. The New York Attorney General has previously taken action against a company that charged thousands of homeowners for an enrollment they could have completed at no cost. Anyone charging a fee to get STAR is taking advantage of you, although a legitimate professional such as an attorney or accountant may charge for separate services unrelated to enrollment.
As checks go out, scammers send texts, calls and emails that appear to come from the Tax Department and ask homeowners to confirm personal details or banking information to receive a STAR check. This is fraud. The state already calculates your benefit from your tax return, and it will not contact you by text, call or email to request personal or banking information.
There are 3 steps. First, never pay a fee to enroll in STAR, because enrollment is free at tax.ny.gov. Second, never share personal or banking information in response to an unsolicited text, call or email about your STAR or rebate check. Third, check your own payment status and report suspected fraud at tax.ny.gov. Sharing this with older family members helps too, since scammers frequently target seniors during benefit season. This is general consumer information, not tax or legal advice.
Staten Island and Brooklyn have many long-time homeowners, including seniors, who receive STAR benefits, and that makes both boroughs a target for these messages. Homeowners who are unsure whether a letter, text or call is real can skip the contact information it provides and go straight to tax.ny.gov to check their own account. If a message asks for money or banking details before a benefit arrives, treat it as a scam. Following these steps does not make anyone immune, but it removes the pressure scammers depend on.
Questions about how this affects your home in Staten Island or Brooklyn? Work with Joseph Ranola, or text or call (917) 905-2541. New episodes of Daily Tesla News break down the NYC real estate stories that move the market.
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