FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Department of Consumer Affairs joins with other government agencies and consumer protection organizations to announce the 12th Annual National Consumer Protection Week, March 7-13.  This coordinated consumer education campaign encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

 

This year's theme - Dollars & Sense: Rated "A" for All Ages - highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life - from grade school to retirement. 

 

"The message of National Consumer Protection Week 2010 is simple: It's never too early or too late to become a more informed and empowered consumer," said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county's Department of Consumer Affairs. "Regardless of your age or financial situation, there are useful lessons to learn about spending and managing money wisely."

 

"There are many free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams," said Patricia Watson, director of the county's Department of Consumer Affairs.

 

"We encourage everyone to use the resources that can be found on the county Web site at http://www.visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?ID=649 or by contacting the Consumer Affairs office for tips about making smarter decisions in the marketplace," Burry said. "We will be posting tips and resources to the county Web site throughout Consumer Protection Week."

 

The week will conclude with the Monmouth County Consumer Bowl, a game-show style competition for teams of high school students held at the Monmouth County Fire Academy in Howell at 9 a.m. on March 12. Students will answer consumer-related questions in a multiple choice and open-ended format that tests their knowledge of various consumer issues, such as Internet fraud and buying and leasing automobiles.

 

A team of students from Freehold Township High School will be defending their 2009 New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl title over a record number of registered teams. Students from Colts Neck, Freehold Township, Howell, Keansburg, Manalapan, Marlboro, Matawan, Neptune, Red Bank Catholic and St. John Vianney and the county's Communications high schools will be fielding teams. 

 

This year, the national effort is reaching out to children and teens, focusing on Web sites, videos and games designed for a younger audience. Children under 12 spend billions of dollars on goods and services each year, so it makes sense to provide them with these valuable tools. 

           

"It's important that kids understand key consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, and marketing and advertising," Watson said. "The resources highlighted during this week will introduce these concepts and teach kids practical lessons about the role of business and government in their everyday lives."                

           

"The county's Consumer Affairs office enforces consumer laws and helps people who suspect they might be victims of unscrupulous business practices," Burry said. "Since the Department of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977, it has handled more than 50,000 complaints and resolved disputes, resulting in savings to consumers of more than $11.5 million dollars."

 

In 2009, the department mediated more than 800 complaints and recovered more than $550,000 for consumers. Mediation includes letters, telephone calls, e-mails, faxes and informal conferences with businesses. If a business is uncooperative and does not appear as scheduled, the Department has the authority to issue a subpoena, a function coordinated with the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

 

The Consumer Affairs department is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and unscrupulous business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and other regulations.

 

The Department also maintains a "complaint history" on all reported businesses that can be helpful to consumers who are considering an agreement or transaction with a local business. If there is an active file, the information may be very valuable.

 

"We are ready, willing and able to meet consumers and help them resolve all sorts of consumer-related issues," Watson said.  

 

According to the Federal Trade Commission, scam artists, fraudsters and four-flushers follow the headlines and are likely to be using the economic downturn to take advantage of consumers who may be under water financially. The county Web site has resources and tools people can use to recognize a rip-off, sniff out a scam, and make smart choices for today's market. 

 

Additional information about fraud and other consumer affairs programs can be found on the county Web site at http://www.visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?ID=649 or by calling 732-431-7900. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

 

National organizers of this year's NCPW include AARP, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Federation of America, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the Federal Citizen's Information Center, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Attorneys General, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Postal Service.
       
For more information about NCPW, visit www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

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