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1993.
10.27 : AoA Support of National Consumers Week

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration on Aging
Wednesday, October 27, 1993 
Contact: Moya Benoit Thompson 
(202) 401-4541

Fernando M. Torres-Gil, assistant secretary for aging in the
Department of Health and Human Services, has announced the 
Administration on Aging's support of National Consumers Week, Oct.
24-30.
     "Senior citizens are unfairly victimized and
disproportionately susceptible to fraud, especially those who are
retired or home during the day," Torres-Gil said.
     Consumers pay an enormous price in fraud losses, according to
the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, which is coordinating National
Consumers Week.  Because so much fraud goes unreported, no one
knows the precise dollar loss, but it is believed to be in the
billions.  Although scam artists prey on all consumers, older
consumers and especially older women are prime targets and most
often their victims.
      Torres-Gil said, "Older women, especially widows, are often
bilked out of their life savings to pay for scams such as
unnecessary home repairs and home improvements. Often left feeling
ashamed and guilty, they do not report the crimes."
     The National Consumers Week theme, "Focus on Fraud," was the
unanimous choice of the four cosponsoring consumer and law
enforcement organizations: the Consumer Federation of America,
National Association of Attorneys General, National Association of
Consumer Agency Administrators, and the National Consumers League. 
As in previous years, government agencies, businesses, trade
organizations, educational institutions and consumer organizations
are planning events around the country to increase consumers'
ability to recognize the most troublesome kinds of fraud.  These
include:  

ø    telemarketing/direct marketing, including mail order
ø    credit, including credit card fraud and credit "repair"
ø    health
ø    insurance
ø    investments
ø    home improvement and maintenance
ø    auto repair and sales

     "We must do everything we can to make people, especially our
older citizens, aware of this problem and encourage the reporting
of these crimes," Torres-Gil said.  "We must provide people with
the tools and information necessary to protect themselves."
     Programs and activities taking place throughout the week will
provide consumers with information about how to spot the signs of
fraud and how to protect themselves against becoming victims.  
     A brochure, "Too Good to be True," describes each of the seven
fraud areas with tips for consumers on how to protect themselves
against fraud.  
     Developed by the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, in
cooperation with the cosponsoring organizations, the brochure is
available in Spanish, Chinese and Korean, as well as English.  To
receive free copies of the brochure in Spanish, Chinese, or Korean,
call 202-634-4319.  Requests for the free English brochure can be
made by writing to the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo,
Colorado, 81009, item number 640Z.