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Passover price increases are illegal says New York attorney general

‘It’s illegal to take advantage of a religious holiday to charge more for services’ said Letitia James

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Alexander Rapaport (R), executive Director of the nonprofit soup kitchen network and food pantry Masbia, sorts broken pieces of matzah as workers prepare meals for the beginning of Passover celebrations in Brooklyn, New York on March 26, 2021. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Jews should be cautious about scams, in which businesses charge extra under the guise of Passover “specials,” the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James warned on Tuesday.

“With Passover starting soon, New Yorkers should beware of businesses claiming to offer ‘Passover Specials,’ like car-cleaning services, but are actually charging more for Passover-related services to take advantage of the Jewish community,” the attorney general’s office wrote. “This is blatantly antisemitic.”

“New York has zero tolerance for antisemitism and discrimination of any kind,” said Attorney General James. “Passover is an important holiday for millions of Jews in New York and beyond, and it is illegal and discriminatory to take advantage of a religious holiday to charge more for a service. We will not hesitate to take action against any business that engages in such offensive behavior, and I urge anyone who has been a victim of this discrimination to contact my office immediately.”

“Many Jews clean their homes and cars before Passover to remove ‘chametz’ or leavened products, and it’s illegal to take advantage of a religious holiday to charge more for services,” James’s office added. “If you believe you’ve been a victim of this discrimination, contact us.”

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