University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin-Extension has joined a group of federal, state and local agencies and national advocacy organizations to launch the seventh annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), Feb. 6-12, highlighting consumer protection and education efforts around the country. This year’s theme, “Identity Theft: When Fact Becomes Fiction,” focuses on minimizing the risk of identity theft and taking fast action to contain any harm, if an identity thief strikes.

Routine transactions reveal bits of information about you--your bank and credit card account numbers; your income; your Social Security number; or your name, address, and phone numbers. If someone steals that information--and uses it in any way--it’s called identity theft. And that’s a crime that can wreak havoc on your finances, your credit and your reputation.

“Everyone should know how to protect their personal information,” said Karen Goebel, UW-Extension family and consumer economics specialist. “Keeping track of your credit, safeguarding your wallet, and putting strong passwords on your bank, credit card and phone accounts, can help consumers minimize their risk of identity theft. There are many more tips on how to cramp identity thieves at www.consumer.gov/ncpw .”

During National Consumer Protection Week, representatives from federal, state and local agencies and national advocacy organizations will help consumers of all ages understand how identity theft happens, the signs to look for, how to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, and how to get help if their personal information is compromised and used to open new accounts.

Organizers of this year’s NCPW are the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Information Center, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Victim’s Rights, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the California Office of Privacy Protection, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the National Consumers League, AARP, the Better Business Bureau, Call for Action, the Consumer Federation of America, the National Association of Attorneys General, the Identity Theft Resource Center, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

“UW-Extension is proud to be a partner in sharing the message of the National Consumer Protection Week campaign,” said Goebel. “We hope to arm consumers with some tools to limit the harm, frustration and expense that can accompany of identity theft and to let them know how to restore their good name.”

A free brochure called “Identity Theft: Your Good Name Gone Bad!” and other publications are available in Spanish and English from Call for Action at 1-800-647-1756 or online at www.callforaction.org .

For more information, contact your county UW-Extension office. To learn more about National Consumer Protection Week, visit www.consumer.gov/ncpw .