U.S. Postal Service Launches National Consumer Protection Week at Two Buffalo Post Offices

“Don’t Fall For a Fake Check Scam”

What:
Postal Service officials will host two informational sessions at Buffalo Post Offices to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week. Officials will distribute DVDs and brochures warning against fraudulent financial schemes, providing consumers with valuable information about protecting their assets from the schemes as well as ways to report suspected financial fraud.

Who:
Christopher E. Buszka, United States Postal Inspector
Christine Kogutowski, Western New York Manager of Consumer Affairs

Where:
Monday, March 3, 2008 from noon to 3 p.m.
Niagara Square Station – 229 W. Genesee Street
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 from noon to 3 p.m.
Amherst Branch – 5500 N Bailey Avenue

Background:
National Consumer Protection Week, set for March 2-8, is a national program led by the Federal Trade Commission to draw attention to issues and ideas that help customers become smarter consumers of products, materials and services and improve their knowledge of how to combat fraud of any type.

The U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working to educate consumers about fraudulent schemes and to provide them with the tools and information needed to combat these “fake check” frauds.

The facts are telling: According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, the number of reported fake checks is increasing, from an average of 593 per month in 2004 to an average of 787 per month in 2007. The amount of reported losses from fake check scams has also quadrupled over the past three years. According to the National Consumers League, victims lose an average $3,000 to $4,000.

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