National Consumer Protection Week 2019 runs from March 3-9, and Consumer Protection Washington offers Fraud Prevention Fairs and Expos all over the state, bringing information and resources, free of charge, to Washington citizens to help them protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming a victim of fraud.

The Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Financial Institutions, Federal Trade Commission, Attorney General’s Office, Utilities and Transportation Commission, Department of Revenue, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Department of Labor & Industries, and the Internal Revenue Service are all partners in Consumer Protection Washington, an advocacy group focused on keeping consumers safe by identifying and educating the public about common issues that face consumers including identity theft, fraud, online safety, credit and debt protection, charity scams, and safety in the home and elsewhere.

To avoid falling victim to scammers, it is important to remember the following:

• Do not give Social Security, financial, or other personal information to strangers who make contact by phone, internet, mail, or even in person.
• Keep antivirus software up to date and be careful when surfing the Internet.
• Shred financial, tax, medical, insurance, and other confidential records when no longer needed.
• Trust your instincts. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  

For more about Consumer Protection Washington or to request a presentation or a Consumer Protection event, check out dfi.wa.gov/cpw. You can also follow them on Facebook to get the latest alerts and news. www.facebook.com/ConsumerProtectionWashington.