HONOLULU — The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) will mark Military Consumer Protection Day (MCPD) on July 16, 2014, by hosting a Consumer and Financial Protection Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Navy Exchange (NEX) at 4725 Bougainville Dr.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a proclamation declaring July 16, 2014, as Military Consumer Protection Day in Hawaii.
MCPD is a joint initiative between the state and federal agencies to empower active and retired service members, military families, veterans, and civilians in the community. With frequent relocations and deployments, military families face unique challenges and are prime targets for scam artists.
“I have asked the DCCA to ensure the department is reaching out to Hawaii’s military community to protect those who protect us,” Abercrombie said. “One of DCCA’s main missions is to inform the public about the potential pitfalls and dangers that come with consumer fraud.”
“The purpose of MCPD is to promote consumer and financial protection education by providing free information that will help protect people’s privacy, manage their money and debt, and avoid identity theft, frauds and scams,” said DCCA Director Kealii Lopez. “We encourage our military community and island residents to attend the free fair as a one-stop shop for consumer resources. We will have representatives from over two dozen government and nonprofit agencies available to answer questions.”
The MCPD website, https://www.military.ncpw.gov, has myriad of tools people can use to recognize a rip-off, sniff out a scam, and make smart choices in today’s market. Individuals wanting more information about consumer and financial protection issues will also have the chance to discuss their concerns face-to-face with representatives at the MCPD fair.
Free document shredding will be provided on site during the fair. As one line of defense to identity theft, consumers can bring their unwanted confidential documents to be shredded. There is a limit of two boxes per household or organization.
Agencies participating in the July 16 MCPD Fair include:
· Access
· Army Community Service, Financial Resilience Center
· Better Business Bureau
· Honolulu City and County Elderly Affairs Division
· Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Hawaii
· Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
· Department of the Attorney General
· Hawaii Homeownership Center
· Hawaii National Guard State Family Programs
· Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
· Hickam FCU
· Internal Revenue Service
· IRS – Taxpayer Advocate Service
· Marine Corps Community Services of Hawaii – Personal Financial Management Program
· Military Family Support Center
· Pearl Harbor FCU
· Regional Legal Service Office Hawaii
· Small Business Administration
· Senior Medical Patrol (SMP Hawaii)
· Social Security Administration
· University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service
· U.S. Postal Service
· State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
o Consumer Education Program
o Division of Consumer Advocacy
o Insurance Division
o Office of Consumer Protection
o Office of the Securities Commissioner
o Regulated Industries Complaints Office
o State Certified Arbitration Program
DCCA is made up of 12 divisions and offices designed to promote a strong and healthy business environment while protecting the community from unfair and deceptive business practices.