Postal Bulletin 22144 - December 23, 2004 - USPS.com

8 POSTAL BULLETIN 22144 (12-23-04)
What is the Postal Service Doing for National Consumer Protection Week?
Postmasters and Facility Managers
Postmasters and facility managers are encouraged to join in this annual consumer awareness effort by sponsoring or
supporting local activities during NCPW, February 6–12, 2005.
District Consumer Affairs and Claims Manager
The district Consumer Affairs and Claims manager should serve as a consultant and resource for postmasters and managers
planning NCPW activities. The district Consumer Affairs and Claims office also serves as the clearinghouse for additional
information and materials.
Getting Started
Many of you are old hands at arranging local community events. Nevertheless, the following is a list of guidelines to keep
in mind as you plan your program. Remember to use leverage — of time, people, and resources — to make your job easier
and to increase your results.
Start early. It takes time to put together a team, agree on a concept, implement plans, invite guests, publicize events,
and coordinate the participation of others. The sooner you begin the more options you are likely to have.
Create a planning committee to develop and coordinate your event or activities. Many hands not only make light work,
they bring ideas and perspectives that can produce better results.
Involve your local Postal Service team early in the planning process. Your local Postal Inspector is an expert on fraud
prevention and can be a key participant in any event. The Area Public Affairs and Communications team can help with
media outreach and publicity. Headquarters Government Relations representatives can help invite local elected officials
to participate, and your district Consumer Affairs team can provide ideas and support.
Join the crowd. After all, this is National Consumer Protection Week. Find out if other organizations or agencies are
planning events and see if they would like Postal Service participation. Local media might even be planning special
consumer segments. And public access channels might be thrilled to run the Inspection Service Work-at-Home Scams:
They Just Don’t Pay! video as a public service.
Realize that small is good, too. Perhaps flyers and a video in the office lobby are all you have time for.
Finally, think about your audience. In your community, how do you reach the elderly, the unemployed, the underemployed,
and others who are most vulnerable to the “make big money at home” pitch?
Suggested Activities
Listed below are suggested activities to highlight the week’s event:
Have a NCPW kick-off and open house. Show the Work-at-Home Scams: They Just Don’t Pay! video produced by the
Postal Inspection Service. All Post Offices will receive a VHS copy of this short film via a direct mailing similar to what
occurred with the Dialing for Dollars investment fraud prevention tape in October. The VHS tapes will be mailed out in
advance of NCPW. You can order a DVD version at 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724) or online at www.usps.compostalinspectors
after February 6, 2005. Invite a local expert to speak. A local Postal Inspector would be perfect, but a representative
from a consumer advocacy group or an appropriate regulatory body would also be good.
Partner with other federal agencies, community groups, educational institutions, and businesses to sponsor educational
workshops or seminars for consumers with special needs.
Hold a joint press conference with another consumer agency and include a local Postal Inspector. The Postal Inspector
can discuss work-at-home fraud both from a national and a community perspective.
Work with a local Postal Inspector to inform senior citizens about work-at-home schemes. Hold seminars at local retirement
communities. Postal Inspectors can discuss recent fraudulent schemes and steps to prevent older Americans
from becoming victims.
Provide your Postal Service employees with information about NCPW activities planned for your area.
Set up a booth at a busy shopping area and distribute fact sheets about work-at-home fraud and other consumer information.
Show the Work-at-Home Scams: They Just Don’t Pay! video.