New York Law Limits Liability for Convenience Checks

A new law protects New Yorkers from liability for the unauthorized use of convenience checks that their debit and credit card companies send without being asked.

Signed Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the law is effective immediately.

Bill sponsors say the measure will discourage banks and other financial institutions from sending out unsolicited checks, which they say are an easy target for mail theft.

When the checks are used by thieves, consumers may not know for some time that their account balances have been depleted.