March Proclaimed Consumer Advocacy Month in Tennessee

Tuesday, March 01, 2016 | 08:33am

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has declared March as Consumer Advocacy Month to raise awareness among Tennesseans about the need for state consumers to make informed choices in order to avoid fraud and scams.   

Throughout the month, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs will highlight its mission to advocate, educate, and protect Tennesseans. The Division will take part in National Consumer Protection Week (March 6 to March 12) and plans other outreach events throughout the rest of the month.

Created in 1977, the Division has mediated successfully on behalf of thousands of Tennesseans while collaborating with our numerous national, state, and local partners to combat fraud and deceptive practices. The Division is a resource for all Tennesseans.

“The Division of Consumer Affairs is a vital part of the Department’s day-to-day mission to protect Tennessee consumers,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Tennesseans have a powerful advocate within the Division that empowers our state’s residents to become better consumers.”

The Division’s mission on behalf of Tennessee consumers is threefold.

  • The Division advocates for Tennessee consumers through mediation between business owners and consumers who believe they are a victim of deceptive business practices, fraud or scamming. In 2015, the Division fielded thousands of complaints ranging from debtor/creditor disputes to misleading advertising.
  • The Division’s specialists educate consumers through statewide outreach with our host of partners at events and speaking engagements on topics ranging from identity theft protection to fraud prevention.
  • Finally, the Division protects consumers and legitimate business owners by providing resources like Verify, One-Stop, Monthly Consumer Reports, and Get Notified! to help encourage fair consumer practices and promote greater consumer awareness.

“The Division of Consumer Affairs is the first line of defense for consumers in a world fraught with scam artists and bad actors who are using increasingly sophisticated schemes and tactics to prey on unwitting victims,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “I’m proud of the work my team has accomplished on behalf of Tennessee consumers thus far, and I am excited about what is yet to come in 2016.”

The Division and our partners from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, TDCI’s Division of Securities, Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions and the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee will host “Consumer Protection Day” from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville. Members of the Division and our partners will be answering questions and offering educational materials.

To learn more, visit our website to access an online complaint form, or call (615) 741-4737 or 800-342-8385 to learn more.

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