NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK - SHRED SMART

U.S. Postal Service Celebrates Consumer Protection Week

Arkansas Post Offices Tells Consumers How to Avoid Scams and Fraud

Little Rock — The U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service join with government agencies, advocacy organizations and private sector groups nationwide to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 2-8, 2014. This coordinated, consumer-education campaign encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

“The Little Rock and Conway Post Office is proud to work with a broad coalition of groups to share tips and information to protect consumers against fraud,” said Officer-In-Charge John Confer. “As one of the most trusted companies and the most trusted government agency, consumers have a high confidence in the mail and expect the Postal Service to protect the privacy of their personal information.”

This year’s theme, In a Sweepstakes, If You Pay to Play — You Lose, highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life — from grade school to retirement.

The Little Rock Post Office, Inspection Service and Shred Smart are partnering to offer the public an opportunity to shred their confidential documents at no charge.

Shred Smart will be on-site on the following dates, all times are 11 am – 1pm:

Tuesday, March 4 - Little Rock Main Office, 600 E Capitol, Little Rock AR

Wednesday, March 5 – Conway Post Office, 1060 Hogan Ln, Conway AR

Friday, March 7 – Little Rock Chenal Station, 815 Technology Dr., Little Rock AR

Document shredding is a key component in avoiding identity theft. The Postal Inspection Service investigates scams that take advantage of people by using personal information to obtain and abuse credit cards. Shredding sensitive documents can keep that information from accidently ending up in the wrong hands.

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. For more information about National Consumer Protection Week, visit http://www.deliveringtrust.com/ and www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

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The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.