National Consumer Protection Week: Inspection Service Team Shares Identity Theft, Fraud Prevention Tips

During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), Inspection Service Operations Technician Robert LaTorre (left) and Postal Inspector Otto Fernandez (right) shared information on fraud prevention in the Fort Lauderdale Main Office lobby.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Miami Division participated in several National Consumer Protection Week activities in postal retail lobbies and senior citizen centers. USPIS participants included Postal Inspectors Blanca Alvarez, Otto Fernandez, Taylor Fernandez, Bryan Masmela, Johnny Niedzwiedzki, and Bladismir Rojo; and Operations Technicians Karina Capo, Robert LaTorre, and Mary McCurry. Mail Processing Clerk Genelle Chrzescian, who assists in the West Palm Beach operation, also participated.

The team promoted free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft and fraudulent scams, and understand credit and mortgages. Postal Inspectors gave  presentations and provided free informational materials, including videos on fraud prevention,

Established in 1998, National Consumer Protection Week is a federal program, led by the Federal Trade Commission, to draw attention to issues and ideas that help customers become smarter consumers of products, materials and services, and improve their knowledge of how to combat fraud. The USPIS partners with the U.S. Postal Service, other government agencies, advocacy organizations, and private sector groups nationwide to promote this consumer education campaign.