Consumers urged to take caution to avoid scams

SALT LAKE CITY — You can never be too careful as a consumer.

Just ask Vickie Adamson of Murray, whose family lost more than $60,000 in a recent real estate scam.

She and her husband, Scott, believed they had purchased rural property in Duchesne County to build a cabin on.

"We thought it was real. We have two mortgages now. Please don't make the mistake we did and think that every one is on the up and up" she pleaded in a kickoff to the 12th Annual National Consumer Protection Week, March 7-13.

Speaking at the Salt Lake City Library, Adamson said not everyone is honest. While they thought they owned the property, in reality they had no deed.

She said she thinks the company that ripped them off is still in business today.

"Scams, scoundrels and schemes continue to grow in today's economy," said Francine A. Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce. "We ask that all consumers, no matter whether they are young or young at heart, to take that extra step, ask those extra questions before they open their wallets. An educated consumer is always a scam artist's worst nightmare."

She also stressed the Internet continues to be a hub for scam artists.

Ron Hubrich, consumer affairs manager for the Salt Lake District of the U.S. Postal Service, said holding the press conference in the library is a fitting place, since that's where people come seeking information.

"If it's too good to be true, it is," he warned consumers.

He said fraudulent checks are a popular scheme these days, and he advised the public to never deposit a check unless they know exactly who it came from.

Randy Tuckett, U.S. postal inspector, said fakechecks.org is a great resource in that area.

He also said the post office has produced some new educational DVDs about avoiding scams.

The U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Inspection Service joined with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection for the kickoff press conference Tuesday morning. The campaign encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

This year's theme, "Dollars & Sense: Rated A for All Ages," highlights the importance of using good consumer sense from grade school to retirement.

The message of National Consumer Protection Week 2010 is simple: It's never too early or too late to become a more informed and empowered consumer. In recognition of NCPW 2010, the Postal Service and its partners are promoting free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages and steer clear of frauds and scams.

For more information on consumer protection, go to www.consumer.gov/ncpw www.deliveringtrust.com and www.consumerprotection.utah.gov.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com