National consumer protection week brings plenty of warnings

Sunday, March 6, kicked off the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week and while many outlets are celebrating advancements in protecting user identities, consumer advocates are espousing the importance of protecting one's sensitive information. Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be the site of one of many seminars where industry leaders will congregate to discuss hot-button issues regarding identity verification and daily risks facing consumers. According to the Cambridge Chronicle, the Consumers' Council, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and the local U.S. Postal Service will host the March 12 event, where participants will receive an education on identity theft and protection from an assortment of speakers. "The Cambridge Consumers' Council wants to remind citizens of the need to protect their personal information from identity theft," said Laura M. Nichols, executive director of the Cambridge Consumers’ Council. "It’s important to take as many steps as possible to prevent thieves from making you a victim." A similar program will be held in Helena, Montana, where the local USPS office, the Helena chapter of the Better Business Bureau and the Montana State Attorney General's Office will speak to the crowd, according to KRTV-TV.