U.S. and Canadian Authorities Strengthen Partnership To Combat Cross-Border Scams During National Consumer Protection Week

The Federal Trade Commission , the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Postal Service’s Consumer Advocate, are partnering with Royal Canadian Mounted Police, PhoneBusters and Canada’s Competition Bureau – an independent law enforcement agency -- to combat cross-border fraud.

National Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 5-11) in the U.S. and Canada’s Fraud Prevention Month in March will feature a series of initiatives to educate consumers about scams targeting victims in both countries.

The press conference will include the release of a new consumer fraud prevention DVD, “Nowhere to Run,” the latest in a series of crime prevention films produced by the Postal Inspection Service. Copies will be available. Following the DVD preview, the FTC will demonstrate the "Grand Scam Challenge," three new interactive, online consumer awareness games.

Photo IDs are needed to gain access to the Embassy building. Television crews can load in at the C Street entrance (loading dock), starting at 9:15 a.m. To RSVP, media are asked to contact Amgad Moustafa at 202-682-7732 or by e-mail, amgad.moustafa@international.gc.ca.

For those wishing to participate via teleconference, please call:
North American Dial-in Number: 1-888-265-0464
International Dial-in Number: (613) 954-4096
** Conference #4758747