Las Vegas, NV -
February 26, 2018
Thousands of
Nevadans each year fall prey to fraudulent and deceptive business practices
resulting in financial loss or lost time and energy seeking a resolution. In
2017, Nevada Consumer Affairs (NCA), a unit of the Department of Business and
Industry’s Directors Office, received 1,968 informational inquiries and complaints
and obtained more than $245,000 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. But in the event that 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
7 at Reno Town Mall, 4001 S. Virginia Street and in Las Vegas on
March 9 at the
Las Vegas Clark
County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road
.
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, 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
Wednesday, March
7, 10:00 am- 3:00 pm
10:00 am- 3:00
pm- Resource Fair Booths Open
11:00 am- Fraud
Prevention Panel* featuring:
Cris Carmona, Chief Investigator,
Nevada Consumer Affairs
Laura Tucker, Senior Deputy Attorney
General, Office of Nevada Attorney General
Kerry O’Brien, Assistant Regional
Director, Federal Trade Commission
Lori Powers, Outreach Coordinator,
Senior Medicare Patrol
12:30 am- Lunch,
sponsored by AARP Nevada
*
Fraud Prevention Panel will take place in
the Sierra View Library Community Room
Las Vegas Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flaming Road
Friday, March 9,
11:00 am- 3:00 pm
11:00 am- 3:00 pm- Resource Fair Booths Open
11:30 am-
Fraud Prevention
Panel #1 featuring:
Cris Carmona, Chief Investigator,
Nevada Consumer Affairs
Sheri Ann Forbes, Senior Deputy AG,
Nevada Attorney General’s Office
Lori Powers, Outreach Coordinator,
Senior Medicare Patrol
12:30 pm- Lunch,
sponsored by AARP Nevada
1:30
p.m. - Fraud Prevention
Panel
#2
featuring:
Christine
Footit, Stakeholder Liaison, IRS
Detective
Michael Gomez, Las Vegas Metro Police Department
Haley
Box, Esq., Nevada Legal Services
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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