U.S. Postal Service Launches 2009 National Consumer Protection Week El Paso Post Office Consumer Information Session, March 3

“Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy”

WHAT:
Postal Service officials will host a customer information session 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:
Michael Sullivan, Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 3, from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

WHERE:
Customer Lobby of Austin General Mail Facility
8225 Cross Park Dr.
Austin, TX 78710-9998

BACKGROUND:
National Consumer Protection Week, set for 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, and improve their knowledge of how to combat fraud of any type.

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.