A press conference to launch a statewide “Loan Modification Scam Alert” campaign will be held on March 4, 2010 as part of the NYS Consumer Protection Board’s (CPB) 2010 Consumer Action Day. The press conference will be held at the Empire State Plaza at 11:00 AM in the North Concourse, across from the Liberty Café.
Loan modifications scams are a growing problem, as homeowners facing foreclosure are losing their money- - and their homes - - to scammers. In addition to the CPB, participants in the press conference will be NeighborWorks America, the Empire Justice Center and State agencies including the Department of Labor, Department of Banking and the Division of Housing & Community Renewal.
Consumer Action Day will give New York consumers access to key information and direct services, all under one roof. More than 30 State, federal and nonprofit agencies will join forces to provide resources regarding financial literacy, debt and credit card management, foreclosure prevention, identity theft mitigation, personal privacy, government benefits, Home Energy Assistance Program, unclaimed funds and more from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM in the North Concourse of the Empire State Plaza. The event is free and open to the public, and is New York’s launch of National Consumer Protection Week, which begins on Sunday, March 7.
"With so many government and nonprofit agencies assembled in a central location, Consumer Action Day offers a unique opportunity for the public to obtain reliable information and assistance free of charge,” said CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Mindy A. Bockstein. “We urge consumers of all ages to take full advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the agencies that are participating in our event.”
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection serves as the state's top watchdog and think tank on a wide range of consumer related issues. Among the services it provides, the Division investigates and resolves consumer complaints, educates the public about product recalls, and represents consumers before public utilities and other state and federal agencies.