As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s 14th Annual National Consumer Protection Week, March 4-10, 2012, the Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community will host Protecting Senior Consumers on Tuesday, March 6 at 2 p.m., a special presentation for residents and their families, not open to the general public.

Jim Camp, CEO of the Better Business Bureau, James Island Postmaster Mary Griner and Communications Coordinator Harry Spratlin of the U. S. Postal Service will make a media presentation, discuss making wise consumer decisions, and answer questions on privacy protection, money management and avoiding scams.

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a nationwide event which features state, local and federal organizations, working together to provide information and events to help consumers update their knowledge of challenges we all face in today’s economy, using technology as an asset. The NCPW website provides a wealth of proactive information.

“This year, we’re focusing on helping the senior community,” said USPS District Communications Coordinator, Harry Spratlin, “because they are a frequent target for scammers, and suffer most when victimized.”

Additional South Carolina NCPW events include:

• Wednesday, March 7, Phone Bank, WSPA Spartanburg

• Thursday, March 8, Protecting Senior Consumers, 10 a.m. Lowman Home, White Rock, SC

South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs sponsored Shred Days

• Tuesday, March 6th: Haywood Mall Greenville 10-2
• Wednesday, March 7th: Charleston Area Convention Center 10-2
• Thursday, March 8th:
  Shred360 Facility-IRMO
  Home Depot-Sandhills
  Blossom St. Parking Lot behind the Carolina
  Coliseum
  (All March 8th Shred Days are from 10-2)

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A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $67 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail.