CITY OF CHICAGO SETS SERIES OF FREE EVENTS FOR ‘NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK’
City Hall Hosting Consumer Protection Information Table, Credit Counseling and Workshop; Consumer Protection Fair Set for March 5 at Thompson Center
February 27, 2015
You have rights! And the City of Chicago wants all of its consumers to be aware of their rights. To spread the word, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is engaging in a series of events during National Consumer Protection Week, which is March 1 to 7.
BACP inspects thousands of businesses and public vehicles to ensure compliance with City laws and regulations, and investigates consumer complaints. The department helps consumers when they have been victims of fraud and helps resolve complaints against businesses.
“We are dedicated to protecting residents and the millions of people who visit Chicago,” said BACP Commissioner Maria Guerra Lapacek. “We provide consumer protection throughout the year, and this week we want to make sure consumers know their rights, and what to do when they feel they have been a victim.”
The BACP events for National Consumer Protection Week are:
Tuesday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BACP will have a table on the first-floor lobby of City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., to pass out literature of its “Know Before You …” campaigns and a variety of informative brochures to help consumers protect themselves.
Wednesday, March 4, from 1 to 3 p.m.
BACP is hosting credit counselors from JVS Chicago and the Center for Economic Progress at City Hall in the 8th floor lobby in front of Room 800 to provide credit counseling from 1 to 3 p.m. Counseling will include how to clean up and improve credit score, strategies on how to handle interest rates and get the best one for the a mortgage, and credit card and other loans.
Thursday, March 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Joint press conference with AG, BBB, FTC, Postal Inspection Service @ 10:30AM)
The “Consumer Protection Fair” at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., with BACP, Illinois Attorney General Office, Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Legal Assistance Foundation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. All of the agencies are coming together to providing consumer protection information to help people avoid fraud and learn how to take action if they become a victim.
Friday, March 6, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
From 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., BACP is hosting the workshop “Credit and You: The Basics of Credit and the Important Role It Plays In Your Life,” which will be presented by Eileen Kelly and Pat Gentzen from The Private Bank. Workshop Description: What is credit? Why is credit important? What is a credit score? Get the answers to these questions and many more including the implications of good and bad credit scores and ways to build and repair your credit history. You will also learn about SMART Banking, business checking options, and how your credit can affect your business.
To register for the workshop email [email protected] or call
312-744-2086.
More information about BACP and Consumer can be found at www.cityofchicago.org/BACP.
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