The Attorney General's Office announced today that the Consumer Protection Bureau has joined a group of Federal, State and local organizations and national advocacy groups to launch the fifth annual National Consumer Protection Week, which will be held February 2 - 8, 2003, to highlight consumer protection and education efforts. This year's theme is "Information Security: Putting the Pieces Together."

"Our goal is to help provide consumers and businesses with important tips to help them manage their personal and sensitive information wisely and minimize its misuse," stated Senior Assistant Attorney General M. Kristin Spath, Chief of the Consumer Protection Bureau. Throughout Consumer Protection Week the Consumer Protection Bureau will be offering consumer tips not only on the subject of information security, but on other issues important to the consumers and businesses around the State of New Hampshire, according to Spath.

In addition, Attorney Spath stated that the Consumer Protection Bureau will be sponsoring a series of statewide consumer education programs directed to high school juniors and seniors addressing consumer issues that young adults are likely to encounter. These issues include buying their first car, obtaining their first credit card and purchasing items on line. According to Spath, they still have openings for three presentations during that week and urge area high schools to contact them if they are interested in having members of the Consumer Protection Bureau speak at their school.

For more information about National Consumer Protection Week, consumers should look at www.consumer.gov/ncpw and the Consumer Bureau's website. For more information, contact the Consumer Protection Bureau at 271-3641.