Press Release

Alaskans Encouraged to take Advantage of Education Opportunities and Resources to Mark National Consumer Protection Week

February 2, 2007

(ANCHORAGE, AK) - February 4th through the 10th is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). This year's theme for NCPW is: "Read Up and Reach Out: Be an Informed Consumer." Organizations, states and government entities across the country are encouraging people to take advantage of the large amount of information that is available to help them understand the marketplace while avoiding consumer protection scammers. Consumer information and information about this campaign is available online at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/ncpw/.

To become a more informed consumer and avoid being scammed, Alaskans are also encouraged to attend one of the statewide workshops called Investor & Consumer Protection Education for Alaskans. These workshops are part of a program initiated by the AARP and the State of Alaska, Division of Banking & Securities, and are free to the public. Workshop sessions have taken place in Anchorage, Sitka, Ketchikan and Palmer/Wasilla. The workshops continue on through mid-April in the communities of Barrow, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai/Soldotna, Kodiak, Nome and Anchorage. The purpose of the workshops is to provide Alaskans with financial and consumer protection education. The workshop classes are taught by investment professionals, attorneys from the Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Attorney General's Office, and professionals with the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities, Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services, Fairbanks Neighborhood House and Consumer Credit Counseling Services.

In addition to participating in these workshops, the Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Attorney General's Office enforces consumer protection laws by investigating and bringing legal actions to stop unfair or deceptive business practices and to obtain refunds for consumers who have been the victim of such practices. The Unit attempts to resolve complaints through an informal mediation process. The Unit educates Alaska consumers about their rights and issues alerts about new scams or other deceptive practices.

For more information about consumer protection issues please visit: www.law.alaska.gov/consumer/. Consumers who wish to file a complaint with the Alaska Attorney General's Office may download the complaint form from the website or contact

Alaska Department of Law
1031 W. Fourth Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Anchorage residents call: (907) 269-5200
Outside of Anchorage call toll free: 1-888-576-2529

The Federal Trade Commission is a federal agency charged with protecting consumers throughout the United States. Its website contains valuable information for consumers and businesses. You can contact the FTC to file complaints by calling: 1-877-FTC-HELP, or by going to www.ftc.gov. Other consumer resources can be found on the state's consumer protection website.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.