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24/7/365 Emergency Hotline: 631-348-1702

If you have been arrested, or in case of an emergency, our attorneys can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 631-348-1702.

Landlords Use Sensitive Personal Information to Spy on Tenants

Due to the economic hardship resulting from the coronavirus crisis, rent payments in New York are under a moratorium until August, with many other states implementing similar measures. However, with stimulus payments on the way for many Americans, some landlords have been using tenants’ personal information to check on their payments and collect rent anyway. This practice, while seemingly uncommon, is illegal, and constitutes a serious breach of a landlord’s duty towards their tenants.

As part of the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA), American citizens were issued a one-time payment of up to $1200 to help them cover necessities during the coronavirus quarantine. As part of this program, the IRS set up a website so American citizens can check on the status of their stimulus payment by inputting some basic information about themselves, including their name, address, and Social Security number. While the website has had difficulty dealing with the sheer number of people requesting their information, some have managed to successfully determine when their stimulus checks will arrive.

While this website is intended to allow individuals to check on their own status, some landlords eager to begin collecting rent again have used their tenant’s personal information to check on their stimulus status. They can do this because they collect their tenants’ personal information, including their Social Security number, during the application to rent their apartment. This means they can use that personal information to check their tenants’ stimulus status, and immediately begin harassing their tenants for rent once they know the stimulus check will be arriving.

However, any landlord who does this should be aware that it is illegal, with the IRS website noting that any “unauthorized use” of the IRS portal is against the law. Since these tenants did not consent to have their personal information used by their landlord, this would constitute an “unauthorized use,” with potential legal penalties against landlords who do so. Anyone whose landlord has engaged in this practice should consult with an attorney to determine their legal options.

If you are a tenant and your landlord is violating the terms of your lease or seeking to evict you, our Suffolk County tenant attorneys can ensure that your rights are protected. A New York landlord-tenant lawyer, who is experienced in handling landlord-tenant cases of all sorts, can advise you of your legal rights and will fight for your best interests in court. If you or your loved is facing eviction or has suffered a violation of their property rights, contact the Suffolk County landlord-tenant attorneys at McGuire, Peláez and Bennett at (631) 348-1702.

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They were a big help with a case I had that had been prolonged by NYC. With their help I avoided 8 points & an increase on my insurance. Can't recommend them enough, well worth the money.
Me fue bien. Trabajan muy bien. Son recomendados
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your positive review, Orlando. We appreciate you coming to us for legal assistance, and hope you consider us if you need any further help.
Mi experiencia con los los Abogados en Mcguirre, Peláez son muy profesionales le recomendaría a mucha de mis amigos hispanos
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your review, Joel. We are glad we could be of assistance. Please let us know if there are any future legal issues you need help with.
I can’t recommend Brett Bennett — or really, anyone at McGuire, Peláez & Bennett — highly enough. Hiring Brett was hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve made (and trust me, given why I needed a lawyer, I’ve made some questionable ones).

From the start, Brett made the whole process so much less stressful. He’s approachable, sharp, and always available to chat — no legal jargon, no intimidation, just solid, straightforward guidance. My case wasn’t exactly simple, but Brett’s expertise and understanding of the law turned what felt like a mess into a remarkably favorable outcome. Way beyond what I expected.

Also, special shoutout to the receptionist — she was an absolute gem. Every time I called, she was kind, helpful, and somehow managed to make the whole experience feel a little less daunting.

Bottom line: Brett was affordable, worth every penny, and then some. If you’re reading reviews wondering who to trust with your legal headache — take it from me, this is your guy.
Response from the owner:Maeve, we greatly appreciate you leaving your review. We are happy to have been of service, and hope we can help you again if you ever need any assistance with a future legal matter.
Los abogados son expertos en lo que hacen. Me an ayudado anteriormente y hicieron un buen trabajo. Las muchas de frente son muy buena gente.
Response from the owner:Gracias. Thank you Juan.
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