Carson City, NV February 25, 2020
Thousands of
Nevadans each year fall prey to scams and fraudulent or deceptive business
practices resulting in financial loss and time spent seeking to recover those
losses. In 2019, Nevada Consumer Affairs (NCA), a unit within the Department of
Business and Industry’s Directors Office, received 1,951 informational inquiries
and complaints and recovered more than $1.3 million 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
Williams
,
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. And if it doe
s happen, we are here to
help.”
Education and
awareness is the best line of defense against becoming a victim of fraud. NCA,
with the support of the newly created Consumer Awareness Coalition,
is hosting a free Consumer
Fraud Prevention Fair
in Reno on
March
2 at Tamarack Junction Casino, 13101 S. Virginia Street from 11:00 am- 3:00 pm.
The fair 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 Contractors Board, Office of the Nevada Attorney General, Senior Medicare
Patrol and more. Admission is free and open to all members of the public.
Timothy
Johnston, Vice President of Outreach at the Better Business Bureau Serving
Northern Nevada and Utah, and Consumer Awareness Coalition member said, “
Nevada
ranked first for per capita rates of reported fraud in 2019 and fifth for
reported identity theft. Don’t get taken; but do take advantage of this free
event that can help you remain scam free.”
SCHEDULE
11:00 am- 3:00
pm- Resource Fair Booths
11:30 am- Fraud
Prevention Panel* featuring:
Cris Williams, Chief Investigator,
Nevada Consumer Affairs
Timothy Johnston, VP of Outreach,
BBB Serving Northern Nevada and Utah
Whitney Digesti, Deputy Attorney
General, Office of Nevada Attorney General
Michelle Newman, Deputy Attorney
General, Office of Nevada Attorney General
Nick Coates, Attorney, Federal Trade
Commission
For more information
about the Consumer Fraud Prevention Fair 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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