U.S. Postal Service Launches
2009 National Consumer Protection Week;
Two Glendale Post Offices to Provide Information to Customers

What:
U.S. Postal Inspection Service officials will host information booths at two Glendale Post Office locations to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week. Officials will distribute DVDs and brochures warning against identity theft and fraudulent schemes, providing consumers with valuable information about protecting their financial assets from these types of crimes, as well as ways to report suspected financial fraud.

Who:
Postal Inspector Patricia Armstrong and Glendale Postmaster Billy Garrett

When and Where:
9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, March 3, at the Glendale Main Post Office,
5955 W. Peoria Ave, Glendale, and
9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 5, at Glendale Arrowhead Station,
19801 N. 59th Ave., Glendale

Background:
National Consumer Protection Week, March 1-7, is a national program led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to draw attention to issues and recommendations that help customers become smarter consumers of products, materials and services.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Consumer Advocate and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working to educate consumers about identity theft and fraudulent schemes. The Postal Service will provide consumers with the tools and information needed to combat these types of crimes.

According to the National Consumers League, reported losses from one type of mail fraud alone – fraudulent schemes – quadrupled in three years. Each victim of this type of scam loses an average of $4,000.

The Postal Service will point customers to the website established by the Postal Inspection Service and its business partners: www.FakeChecks.org.