ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A fake press release claiming New York will ban residents from washing their cars at home has been circulating on social media, but state officials confirm no such law exists.
The document, designed to look like an official press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, claims the “New York Clean Car Act” would make it illegal to wash a car on any surface that allows water to enter storm drains starting in 2028. The fake release stated penalties could include up to $1,000 in fines or a year in jail.
Investigating the claim
News10NBC reporter Brett Davidsen investigated the claim after it began spreading on social media last week. One TikTok user said, “It means that you can no longer wash a car on public New York city streets.”
However, the bill numbers listed in the press release have nothing to do with car washing. A spokesperson for the governor confirmed the “New York Clean Car Act” is not real legislation. It remains unclear where the phony press release originated.
Fooled by fake document
The fake document fooled many people, including Kyle Burdick, who runs Dirty Burd Detailing, a mobile car washing service in Rochester. “I’ve literally had 10 people send that to me,” Burdick said…