Attorney General Schneider announces National Consumer Protection Week

March 10, 2011

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

AUGUSTA ? The Maine Office of the Attorney General has joined federal, state and local government agencies and national consumer advocacy organizations to launch the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 6-12, 2011. NCPW is a nation-wide campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission to encourage consumers across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights. This coordinated consumer education effort highlights the importance of protecting privacy and avoiding scams. This year?s theme is ?Your Information Destination.? It is intended to highlight consumer education resources available including http://www.deliveringtrust.com a website featuring free fraud education and prevention videos, tips on scams and instructions on reporting scammers to the appropriate authorities.

?An informed consumer is the first step toward the prevention of consumer fraud,? said Attorney General Schneider at the United States Postal Inspection Service press conference on March 4, 2011. Fraud schemes victimize millions of Americans each year, leaving many financially and emotionally devastated. The internet and international phone calls make it easy for fraudsters to target Mainers from anywhere in the world. An informed consumer is more likely to recognize a fraudulent promotion and report it so that others can be warned.

NCPW partner organizations provide practical tips so consumers can learn how to make well-informed purchase decisions, avoid scams, protect their personal information, and file a complaint if they?re not satisfied. ?There is a great deal of information available to help Maine consumers protect themselves. The Attorney General?s website, http://www.maine.gov/ag/ is packed with current on-line resources to help both consumers and businesses,? stated Schneider.

More information on NCPW is available at http://www.NCPW.gov.

CONTACT: Brenda Kielty (207) 626-8577