A pawnshop is a business that:
- Sells pawned or pledged goods
- Loans money on deposit or pledge of personal property
- Purchases personal property on the condition of selling it back at a set price
You can file a complaint about a pawnshop in New York City, including complaints about pawnshops that sell goods before the date on the pawn ticket, contract, or receipt.
Under New York State law, a pawnshop is allowed to charge a maximum interest rate of 4% per month.
What Happens Next
If you don't include your address or email with your Service Request, you won't receive follow up. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will consider your complaint a tip.
If you include your address, DCWP will mail you a complaint form. You must complete and return it to DCWP. If you provide your email address, you'll get the form by email instead. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.
