Las Vegas, NV February 19, 2019
Thousands of
Nevadans each year fall prey to scams and fraudulent or deceptive business
practices resulting in financial losses and time spent seeking to recover those
losses. In 2018, Nevada Consumer Affairs (NCA), a unit within the Department of
Business and Industry’s Directors Office, received 2,024 informational inquiries
and complaints and recovered more than $305,000 in refunds and restitution for these
consumers.
“We know that
only a small
percentage of consumers that have been victimized by a
scam or an
unfair or fraudulent
business
contact our offices
,”
said Cris Carmona, NCA Chief Investigator. “This problem is widespread and
anyone could
find themselves in this position.
Our goal is to
give consumers
information and resources
before they become a victim. In the event
it does happen, we are here
to help.”
Education and
awareness is the best line of defense against becoming a victim of fraud. NCA
is hosting a free Consumer
Fraud Prevention Fair
in Carson City on
March
4 at Reno Town Mall, 4001 S. Virginia Street and in Las Vegas on
March 8 at the
Nevada State
Business Center, 3300 W. Sahara Avenue.
The fairs
will provide information
and resources in the areas of consumer rights, how to avoid becoming a victim
of fraud and one-on-one assistance for consumers that
need help
resolving complaints involving
fraud or
a
deceptive
business practice.
Resource booths will be open throughout the day with
exhibitors including AARP Nevada, Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade
Commission, Nevada State Contractor’s Board, Office of the Nevada Attorney
General, Senior Medicare Patrol and more. Admission is free and open to all
members of the public.
Reno Town Mall, 4001 S. Virginia Street
Monday, March 4,
10:00 am- 3:00 pm
10:00 am- 3:00
pm- Resource Fair Booths Open
11:30 am- Fraud
Prevention Panel* featuring:
Cris Carmona, Chief Investigator,
Nevada Consumer Affairs
Whitney Digesti, Deputy Attorney
General, Office of Nevada Attorney General
Michelle Newman, Deputy Attorney
General, Office of Nevada Attorney General
Gail Anderson, Deputy Administrator,
Nevada Secretary of State’s Office
Kerry O’Brien, Assistant Regional
Director, Federal Trade Commission
Fred Schoenfeldt,
Criminal/Compliance Supervisor, Nevada State Contractor’s Board
Elena M. Butko, Esq., Staff
Attorney, Washoe Legal Services
*
Fraud Prevention Panel will take place in
the Sierra View Library Community Room
Nevada State Business Center, 3300 W. Sahara Avenue, 4th
Floor
Friday, March 8,
10:00 am- 3:00 pm
10:00 am- 3:00 pm- Resource Fair Booths Open
11:30 am-
Fraud Prevention
Panel featuring:
Cris Carmona, Chief Investigator,
Nevada Consumer Affairs
Lucas Tucker, Senior Deputy AG,
Nevada Attorney General’s Office
Gail Anderson, Deputy Administrator,
Nevada Secretary of State’s Office
Michael
Crabtree, Community Relations Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
Elizabeth
Waite, Education and Information Officer, Nevada Division of Mortgage Lending
Paul
Rozario, Director of Investigations, Nevada State Contractor’s Board
For more
information about the Consumer Fraud Prevention Fairs, or Nevada Consumer
Affairs, visit http://consumeraffairs.nv.gov
or call 844-594-7275.
About Nevada Consumer Affairs
NCA investigates consumer
complaints pertaining to deceptive and fraudulent business practices.
Consumers that live in or visit Nevada can contact Nevada Consumer Affairs for
assistance in resolving issues of fraud or deceptive trade practices involving
Nevada-based businesses. Areas that NCA can investigate include, but are not
limited to: pyramid promotional schemes, sales promotions, telecommunications
services and door-to-door sales. The office will also provide referrals
for issues that fall within the jurisdiction of another agency or
organization. Consumers are encouraged
to visit
http://consumeraffairs.nv.gov
or
call
toll free
844-594-7275.
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