Attorney General Philip T. McLaughlin announced today that his office has only four slots left for volunteers to work as Consumer Affairs Specialists for the next year, in the Consumer Protection Bureau's Mediation Program. The next training for new volunteers is scheduled for the weeks of October 21st and 28th, 2002.

According to McLaughlin, the Consumer Mediation Program was begun by the Attorney General's Office in 1992 in an effort to help resolve the thousands of complaints received annually by the Consumer Protection Bureau concerning business practices affecting New Hampshire consumers, and consumers of New Hampshire products and services.

The mediation program volunteers handle issues ranging from small disputes concerning undelivered mail order merchandise to disputes involving thousands of dollars over home improvement problems.

Adults of all ages are encouraged to apply. Volunteers will be asked to commit six hours per week for one year, and will receive approximately twenty hours of mandatory training. Volunteers will learn how to provide basic information about consumer rights and responsibilities in response to telephone inquiries and letter contacts, and will actively mediate, by telephone and letter contact, complaints and disputes between businesses and customers.

Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity may write to the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, Office of the Attorney General, 33 Capitol Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301-6397, call the Bureau at (603) 271-3641, or visit the website to receive a description of the program, an outline of the volunteers' duties, and an application form.

Applications will be accepted until October 7, 2002.