# The City of New York stole my money. What are my options? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843 "2011-04-18T15:31:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/1 "2011-04-18T15:31:16Z")
Back on February 18, I ordered a copy of my birth certificate from the the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene. By all accounts (including their website and NYC’s 311 hotline), I should’ve received it long ago. I haven’t. 311 can’t direct me anywhere except an automated line which has no option regarding unreceived documents. I called 311 back and told them that where they transferred doesn’t help with unreceived documents. They said that’s the only number they have. I filled out the form on DHMH’s website last week, and received no response. So as it stands, New York City has my $30, and has given me nothing for it. I seem out of options… what can I do? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/2 "2011-04-18T15:55:08Z")
They are physically located at 125 Worth St, I believe. Next time you call 311, specifically ask for the main office phone number for NYC DOHMH, don’t discuss your specific needs. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/3 "2011-04-18T16:02:37Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > So as it stands, New York City has my $30, and has given me nothing for it. I seem out of options… what can I do? You can always [go](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_New_York_vs._Homer_Simpson) to New York City. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/4 "2011-04-18T16:39:32Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > So as it stands, New York City has my $30, and has given me nothing for it. I seem out of options… what can I do? Move to Hawaii? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/5 "2011-04-18T17:58:02Z")
Yah, I should mention that I left New York long ago, so I can’t just traipse down to Manhattan to pay their office a visit, though I do think think calling 311 and just asking for a direct number is the best way to go. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/6 "2011-04-18T18:24:57Z")
Write a letter to the Mayor. Mr Bloomberg probably will not read your letter, but someone in his office will probably pass it on to the appropriate office. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/7 "2011-04-18T18:35:19Z")
Lure New York over the bridge into a dark alley and New Jersey can…take care of things for you. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/8 "2011-04-18T18:49:06Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Write a letter to the Mayor. Mr Bloomberg probably will not read your letter, but someone in his office will probably pass it on to the appropriate office. He probably will if it’s published in _The New York Times_. ---
**Author:** ![code\_grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/9 "2011-04-18T19:51:56Z")
show support for another certificate-less guy’s plan to give the Department in question and others like it greater power than ever over American citizens. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-of-new-york-stole-my-money-what-are-my-options/578843/10 "2011-04-18T21:16:52Z")
How did you pay? If it’s by credit card, can’t you dispute it, and do (have your card issuer do?) a charge back?