Pembroke Pines, FL — U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are marking National Consumer Protection Week (March 1 – 7, 2009) by supplying consumers with tools for surviving today’s economy, including tips to prevent identity theft and combat fraudulent schemes.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, as little as 2 percent of all victims reported that the identity crimes they experienced were through the U.S. Mail. The Postal Service’s commitment to protecting customers’ private information was recognized for the fifth consecutive year when it was named Most Trusted Government Agency in the independent Ponemon Institute Privacy Study last month.
Delores Killette, vice president and Consumer Advocate for the Postal Service, and William Gilligan, acting Chief Postal Inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, are leading the effort during to provide consumers with valuable information about protecting their assets from fraudulent schemes and tips on keeping their personal information safe.
“Today’s challenging economy deems it critical that we give consumers tools to guard against losing their hardearned money to fraud,” Killette said.
Postal Service representatives and Postal Inspectors across the country are educating consumers by distributing DVDs and brochures warning against fraudulent financial schemes, as well as by hosting information sessions and events. South Florida events are scheduled as follows:
Monday, March 2, 2009, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
South Florida Retail Unit Lobby, 16000 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL
(This March 2 event kicks off National Consumer Protection Week with a 10:00 am ceremony featuring remarks from Tammy J. Autenrieth, USPS South Florida District Manager; Tony Gomez, Acting Inspector–In–Charge; Bertha Mitrani, Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Mike Galvin, Vice President, Communications, Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean. In addition, Iron Mountain Document Shredding Company will offer free shredding to customers in the Post Office parking lot.)
Tuesday, March 3, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
El Mercado Postal Store Lobby, 2440 W 60 Street, Hialeah FL
Tuesday, March 3, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Century Village, 13700 SW 14 Street, Pembroke Pines FL
(Open to residents only)
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Wednesday, March 4, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Pompano Beach Main Post Office Lobby, 2351 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach FL
Thursday, March 5, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Broward County Main Public Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL
Thursday, March 5, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Key West Post Office Lobby, 400 Whitehead Street, Key West FL
Friday, March 6, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Miami GMF Postal Store Lobby, 2200 NW 72 Avenue, Miami FL
Saturday, March 7, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Village of Palmetto Bay’s Annual Celebration Picnic, Coral Reef Park, 7895 SW 152 Street, Miami FL
Postal Inspectors say consumers are still being targeted for fraudulent mailing schemes but can take steps to protect their assets and avoid becoming a victim:
- Use common sense.
- Take your time when responding to offers.
- Educate yourself about fraud.
- Know with whom you are dealing.
- Protect your personal information.
- Be skeptical of any offer that sounds too good to be true.
“Spreading awareness about fraud makes a criminal’s job harder. The best way for our customers to protect themselves is to learn how to avoid fraudulent schemes such as reshipping scams, fraud on the Internet and work–at–home schemes,” said Chief Inspector Gilligan.
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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.
