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| Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch 518.473.9472|518.474.2896 |
For Immediate Release: March 25, 2008 |
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NYS Consumer Protection Board’s Fifth Annual Consumer Action Day Provides New Yorkers with
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| Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the NYS Consumer Protection
Board (CPB) today presided over the Fifth Annual Consumer Action Day at the Empire State Plaza
in Albany. With the current strain on consumers to cover the costs of housing, taxes, gasoline,
and other commodities, the CPB has gathered more than thirty Agencies and organizations to inform
people on how to manage their money more effectively.
“Consumer Action Day provides New Yorkers with information and resources they need to handle their money wisely, whether it's planning for home ownership or paying for college,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “Working together, many State Agencies and community organizations are providing consumer assistance to people across the State. With more than thirty organizations involved, the right information is sure to get to the people who need it most.” “Learning how to deal with money is a life-long endeavor, especially with a constantly changing marketplace,” Bockstein said. “From the time a child first receives an allowance through the older fixed-income years, financial literacy is essential to successful living. Education is the first line of defense for consumers. In this time of fiscal difficulties, we are pleased to launch the CPB’s new Money Maps Series and Personal Identification Documentation (PIDD) Card to assist consumers in diverse communities to manage and protect their hard-earned money and personal financial information.” Money Maps is a new tool to help consumers chart and document their expenditures and savings. This free program is geared to consumers of all ages, ability levels and economic status. It will be distributed to our youth, to seniors, in rural communities, to migrant farmers and others around the State. The PIDD Card enables consumers to document personal information in a quick and easy format to be used as a reference in case credit cards, identification, or other personal records are stolen or lost. Both are available for download, along with additional resources, on the CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. The Fifth Annual Consumer Action Day, held today, from 9 AM until 2 PM at the Empire State Plaza Concourse in Albany, NY, brought together public and private representatives to provide up-to-date financial information and tools to New Yorkers. “Through collaboration with State Agencies and private organizations such as the National Federation for the Blind and others, we are able to reach all constituency groups,” continued Bockstein. “We work with our partners to distribute resources and information to consumers.” “For low-income families who must stretch every single dollar, the importance of understanding all available banking and financial options cannot be overstated," said NYS Office of Temporary Disability Assistance Commissioner David A. Hansell. "We are delighted that the Consumer Protection Board is taking these steps to help New Yorkers make better financial decisions, and we will continue to work with the Board to help provide protections to our most vulnerable residents." Pat Hooker, Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets said, “As increased energy and interest costs squeeze family budgets, it is imperative that consumers, farmers and small business owners become better money managers. We are very pleased to be part of this event and to partner with the Consumer Protection Board to educate all New Yorkers about the many services available to them.” Michael Burgess, Director of the Office for the Aging said, “Often older citizens are faced with difficult decisions that become overwhelming in times of family crisis such as the death of a spouse. Further, identity thieves are no respecters of age and do not care how much people have in savings or income. The importance of providing sound and reliable advice to older consumers regarding the need and importance of identity theft, estate planning, the proper preparation of wills, and informed decision making regarding complex health insurance choices can not be overstated. The time to prepare for these needs is in advance, not in the time of crisis. The Consumer Protection Board is certainly to be commended for planning and conducting events such as the one today designed to reach out to citizens who can benefit from the information provided." Carl Jacobsen, President of the National Federation of the Blind said, “The National Federation of the Blind of New York State is delighted to be partnering with the CPB through our NewslineŽ for the blind service. The CPB makes available to all New Yorkers information which will aid them in making informed decisions. Working together, we are assuring that financial literacy information is accessible to people with visual impairments. The NewslineŽ service brings this information via the telephone at no charge to any registered user who is unable to access the printed word.” Karen Schimke, President and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, said: “The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA), works to shape policies that improve the economic security and health status of low and moderate income New Yorkers, and help all children become capable adults. It is vitally important that the people we represent, especially those from low income groups and young people, have financial literacy information that can help them manage their lives and plan for a successful future. I commend the Consumer Protection Board and the State of New York for putting this event together and making this information more accessible for consumers of all ages and backgrounds.” The NYS CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the “Do Not Call” law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies. To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call our toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information. To join the CPB’s Do Not Call Reminder list, send an e-mail to CPB's Do Not Call Reminder list |