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| NOTICE! Help Prevent Fraud! |
Washington, DC (BBB) - Chief Postal Inspector Kenneth Hunter announced to Congress the most ambitious fraud prevention initiative ever - Project Know Fraud.
The Postal Inspection Service joined with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer and government agencies, including the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, National Association of Attorneys General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and AARP, in order to provide consumers a tool to defend themselves against fraudulent mail and telemarketing solicitations.
In mid November,1999, the Postal Inspection Service mailed every home in America -- approximately 120 million addresses - a postcard with valuable fraud prevention tips. The card was designed to be displayed near the phone, so citizens can make informed decisions about mail and telemarketing solicitations and avoid being victimized by deceptive offers at the time they occur. The card featured an address and Web site to obtain more information or submit complaints.
Because we know that Americans count on their local Public library for assistance, Project Know Fraud provided information to librarians. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the BBB worked with Platypus Productions, Inc. to produce a fraud prevention video. This 25 minute video, narrated by Lou Gossett Jr., was sent to every public library in the country. Libraries received free fraud prevention material and Spanish versions of the postcard. Because many public libraries offer Internet service, consumers used library computers to access Know Fraud's website at www.BBBvideo.com
All public libraries received more information by mail on October 1st. In addition, information dispersed on many library list-serves and in library publications. Each citizen received a postcard at your home and saw Andy Griffith's taped public service announcement (PSA), which air in October that year, alerting everyone to our mailing. We worked with Lou Gossett Jr., who plays Inspector Frank Hughes in the Showtime's series "The Inspectors," to produce a similar PSA. Video footage of Mr. Griffith and Mr. Gossett was used to produce video news releases.
In mid November, 1999, a national press conference was also held in Washington, DC. Speakers, including Attorney General Janet Reno, mentioned the assistance provided by public libraries to educate consumers. Also during that week, Know Fraud partners held press conferences nationally, also bringing attention to valuable assistance provided by their local library. Local news agencies used the PSAs and video news releases for their own broadcasts.
"We want Librarians and consumers alike to know what to do and who can help when they face fraud issues. Perhaps more important than fighting crime, we hope to prevent it! We believe we can, but only if the public Knows Fraud," Ken Hunter proclaims.
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Contact Information:
Donald Burkholder
BBB Video Series
donald@bbbvideo.com
(800) 597-1686
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