'Dollars and Sense Rated 'A' for All Ages' ... Now That's Your Consumer Protection Ticket!

National Consumer Protection Week is March 7-13. This year’s theme, "Dollars and Sense: Rated 'A' for All Ages,” highlights consumer education for every stage of life --- from grade school to retirement.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Consumer Affairs and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working to educate consumers about identity theft and fraudulent schemes and to provide them with the information needed to combat these frauds. During National Consumer Protection Week, other federal, state, and local consumer protection agencies --- together with consumer organizations and industry associations --- are launching consumer protection and education efforts in South Florida and around the country.

District Manager Tammy J. Autenrieth will kick off the week’s observance at 10 am on Monday, March 8, in the South Florida Retail Unit Lobby, 16000 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines. She will give opening remarks and welcome participants, including guest speakers Mike Galvin, Vice President, Communications, Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean; Hope Hinds, Director, Compliance and Risk Management Services, Compliance and Mitigation Strategies; and Inspector Bladismir Rojo of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. A Deputy Chief and two Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the U.S. Attorney’s Office also will speak.

From 10 am to 2 pm, postal personnel and subject matter experts from the FBI, Miami-Dade Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, and National Insurance Crime Bureau will be stationed at informational tables in the lobby. Help prevent identity theft by discarding your documents --- at no charge --- at the onsite truck provided by Cintas Shredding Company.

During the weeklong observance, Postal and Inspection Service personnel will distribute fraud prevention material at the following locations:

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm, Atlantic Branch,8801 W Atlantic Blvd, Coral Springs; 1 pm - 3 pm , Boca Rio Branch, 8185 Via Ancho Rd, Boca Raton.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 12 Noon - 2 pm, Fort Pierce Main Office, 5000 W Midway Rd, Fort Pierce; 1 pm - 3 pm, Chesterbrook Academy, 14900 NW 20 Street, Pembroke Pines.

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 10 am - 2 pm, Miami Beach Post Office, 1300 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; 1 pm - 4 pm, Fort Lauderdale Main Office, 1900 W Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 9 am - 1 pm, Miami Killian Senior High School, 10655 SW 97 Ave, Miami; 1 pm - 3 pm, West Palm Beach Main Office, 3200 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach.

(Employees are reminded that these are off-the-clock activities.)