PALM HARBOR, Fla. (16 March) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District including portions of Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, will be hosting a seminar on consumer fraud and identity theft on Monday, March 23, 2009.

The seminar will be held at the CARES Rao Musunuru, M.D. Activity Center on 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson, Fla., from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Congressman Bilirakis will be joined by officials from the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Postal Service, legal experts and members of the law enforcement community.
 
Among the topics to be discussed include mail and cyber fraud, as well as identity theft crimes against the elderly and consumers.  Information will also be provided about efforts to curb identity theft and consumer fraud in the community and what steps the public can take to better recognize and protect against these crimes.
 
In addition to the seminar, an on-site industrial shredder will be available for the public to dispose of personal and sensitive documents free of charge.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of identity theft complaints filed. Of the 57,472 complaints of theft in Florida during 2008, 24,440 were related to identity theft.

To RSVP or to obtain additional information on this seminar, please contact Congressman Bilirakis's Palm Harbor District Office at (727) 773-2871.