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NATIONAL
CONSUMER PROTECTION
WEEK
Fighting
Fraud: It's a Family Matter!
What is National Consumer Protection Week?
February 5-11, 2006,
has been designated as National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). The U.S.
Postal Service® Consumer Advocate's Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection
Service are partnering to educate consumers about fraudulent schemes and
to provide consumers with the tools and information needed to combat this
fraud. During NCPW, other federal, state, and local consumer protection
agencies - together with consumer organizations and industry associations
- also are launching consumer protection and education efforts around
the country. The Postal ServiceTM campaign for 2006 highlights the power
of a united front in the fight against fraud with the theme "Fighting
Fraud: It's a Family Matter."
Families Fight Fraud
Who gets hurt when a grandparent is taken in by
a fraudulent investment, when a parent on Social Security sends money
to an illegal foreign lottery, when a son or daughter falls for an employment
scheme, or when any of the above is victimized by identity theft? The
answer is the entire family. And it's the family - that is educated
about fraud and stays in touch with each other - that provides the first
and best line of defense against the constantly evolving threat of fraud.
So this year, the Postal Service is delivering that
message to American families across the country together with an educational
campaign on prevalent types of fraud being perpetrated in America today,
such as the following:
• Free prize schemes.
• Foreign lotteries.
• Multilevel marketing.
• Identity fraud, identity theft.
• Investment schemes.
• Internet fraud (including online auctions).
• Work-at-
scams.
How Does the Postal Service Help to Prevent
Mail Fraud Scams?
The Mail Fraud Statute
is the oldest and most effective consumer protection statute, and Postal
Inspectors have been using this statute to preserve the integrity of the
U.S. mail since the law was enacted in 1872. Postal Inspection Service
efforts have combined vigorous enforcement of the law with public education,
consumer awareness, and crime prevention programs. Postal Inspectors work
with local, state, federal, and international law enforcement agencies
- as well as a variety of bank and credit card issuers, financial institutions,
retail merchants, credit bureaus, and other industry sources - to help
prevent all types of mail fraud schemes and to educate consumers.
What Can
Consumers Do to Protect Themselves From Becoming Fraud Victims?
Use common sense. Take your time when responding
to offers. Investigate. Talk to family, friends, and local consumer protection
experts. Educate yourself about fraud. Know who you are dealing with and
protect your personal information. Every year, thousands of people and
businesses are victimized by fraudulent schemes. In general, consumers
should be skeptical of any offer that sounds "too good to be true."
Who Should Consumers Call if They Suspect
Fraud?
• Postal Inspectors. They are responsible for
enforcing the Mail Fraud Statute. A fraud complaint can be filed at the
local Post OfficeTM, by calling 800-FRAUD-IS (800- 372-8347) or online
at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.
• The Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works
for the consumer to prevent fraud and deception. Call 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
or log on to www.ftc.gov.
• The Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
• Your Attorney General's office at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao.
What is the Postal Service Doing for National
Consumer Protection Week?
Postmasters and Facility Managers
Postmasters and facility managers are encouraged
to join in this annual consumer awareness effort by sponsoring or supporting
local activities during NCPW, February 5-11, 2006.
District Consumer Affairs and Claims Manager
The district Consumer Affairs and Claims manager
should serve as a consultant and resource for postmasters and managers
planning NCPW activities. The District Consumer Affairs and Claims office
also serves as the clearinghouse for additional information and materials.
Suggested Activities
Listed below are suggested activities to highlight
the week's event:
• Have a NCPW kickoff and open house.
• Show a Postal Inspection Service fraud prevention
video.
• Invite a local expert to speak. A local Postal
Inspector would be perfect, but a representative from a consumer advocacy
group or an appropriate regulatory body would also be good.
• Hand out
consumer publications such as the following:
- Publication 162, Because
the Mail Matters
-
Publication 280, Identity Theft: Safeguard Your Personal Information
- Publication 281, Consumer
Fraud by Phone or Mail: Know How to Protect Yourself
-
Publication 300-A, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Guide To Preventing
Mail Fraud
-
Publication 370, Extra Services
- Publication 546, Sweepstakes
Advertising: A Consumer's Guide
The publications are available in PDF format on
the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site. Go to http://blue.usps.gov/cpim
and click on PUBs. The publications are also available on
the Internet at www.usps.com; click on About USPS & News,
then Forms & Publications, then Postal Periodicals
& Publications, and then Publications (then choose either
PDF format or HTML format).
• Partner with other federal agencies, community
groups, educational institutions, and businesses to sponsor educational
workshops or seminars for consumers with special needs.
• Hold a joint
press conference with another consumer agency and include a local Postal
Inspector. The Postal Inspector can discuss fraud both from a national
and a community perspective.
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• Work with a local Postal Inspector to inform
senior citizens about fraud schemes. Hold seminars at local retirement
communities. Postal Inspectors can discuss recent fraudulent schemes and
steps to prevent older Americans from becoming victims.
• Provide your
postal employees with information about NCPW activities planned for your
area.
• Set up a
booth at a busy shopping area and distribute fraud prevention brochures
and other consumer information. Show a fraud prevention video.
• And, while you are at it, let customers know
about the other consumer services offered by the Postal Service, such
as Internet Hold, redelivery, and Carrier Pickup services, and ReadyPost®
products. Suggest customers visit www.usps.com.
Event Planning Checklist
When planning National Consumer Protection Week
events, keep the following suggestions in mind:
• Begin planning early.
• Contact your local Postal Service team -
Postal Inspectors, Public Affairs and Communications managers, Consumer
Affairs and Claims managers, and Government Relations representatives
- to see how they can help support and participate in the fraud prevention
events in your city.
• Set a date.
• Secure participants.
• Acquire posters, videos, fact sheets, brochures,
and other supplies for the event.
• Prepare a special pictorial postmark, if
applicable.
• Secure staging and sound equipment, if applicable.
• Plan signage, including a podium, sign, and
banners.
• Launch a local publicity campaign using the
materials suggested in this article.
• Draft a sequence-of-events agenda and speaker
remarks.
• Plan retail opportunities (i.e., booth, bag
stuffers, etc.).
• Prepare ceremony
programs and invitations.
Inspection Service Fraud Prevention Video
Library
Is your video library up to date? The U.S. Postal
Inspection Service has produced a series of short, action-packed videos
that dramatize the fraud prevention message in an entertaining and powerful
way.
Order one of each of the free, fraud prevention
DVDs listed below by calling 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724) or go online
at http://shop.usps.com and click Protect Yourself.
All DVDs feature a Spanish-language option and include a poster with prevention
tips in English and Spanish. The videos provide tips on how to avoid being
duped by criminals and what to do if victimized.
• Web of Deceit: Internet
Fraud - Internet scams are like old wine in new bottles. Telemarketing
and mail fraud scams are now coming to you from cyberspace.
• Long Shot: Foreign Lottery
Scams - It's illegal to play foreign lotteries in the United States. But
another reason not to play is that you are almost guaranteed to lose.
And once you play, you can count on receiving more "chances"
to play and lose.
• Work-at- Scams: They
Just Don't Pay - While some jobs are legitimate, others just don't deliver
on their promises. This short film tells the story of a new type of work-at-
scam and how a young mother gets caught up in it.
• Identity Crisis: Protect
Your Identity - Identity fraud is the fastest-growing crime in America.
With millions of victims and losses in the billions of dollars, it continues
to be one of consumers' biggest fears.
• Delivering Justice: Dialing
for Dollars - Telemarketing fraud costs Americans millions of dollars
each year. And when it comes to phony investment "opportunities,"
older Americans are prime targets.
• Nowhere to Run: Cross-Border Frauds
- The Internet and international phone calls make it easy for fraudsters
to work from anywhere in the world. But U.S. Postal Inspectors have created
task forces with Canadian law enforcement partners to stop these "long
distance" scams. (Note: This DVD is in production and will
debut in time for NCPW 2006)
Web Sites for More Information and Resources
on Fraud
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service: http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors.
• Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov
or http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm (also offers brochures).
• National Consumers League: http://www.fraud.org.
• Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org.
• FirstGov for Consumers: http://www.consumer.gov.
• Federal Citizen information Center: http://www.consumeraction.gov.
Postal Brochure Ordering Information
Postal Service publications make perfect handouts
for customers during NCPW. They are also good resources for postmasters
and managers when preparing for the week's events.
You can also order these publications from the Material
Distribution Center (MDC) and use touch tone order entry (TTOE): Call
800-332-0317, option 2.
Note: You must
be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension
2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after
registering before placing your first order.)
Use the following information to order these publications:
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