Mount Sinai, NY - March 14th, 2016 - As part of National Consumer Protection Week, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, chairwoman of the Seniors and Consumer Protection Committee, urges residents to be smart consumers and to be alert of common phone and internet scams.

National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign during the week of March 6th that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and to make more informed decisions.

“Consumers need to be informed about their rights in order to fight back against abusive businesses, as well as be vigilant against unsolicited phone calls and internet scams. It is important to never provide sensitive personal information to someone you do not know,” Legislator Anker. “I urge residents to be alert and to protect themselves by utilizing county resources.”

At a press conference on Friday, March 11^th, Legislator Anker joined local elected officials, including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai to remind residents about the resources available to them through the county, the Town of Brookhaven, and other advocacy organizations like AARP. There are many resources that provide important scam information and teach residents how to not become a victim of fraudulent scams.

Upon entering office in 2011, one of Legislator Anker’s first initiatives was to create a scam alert website. Through legislation and with the help of the Suffolk County Police Department, a website was created to warn residents about common phone and internet scams. For important scam information, residents can visit www.SCPDscamalert.org.

Suffolk County offers many resources to help residents be smart consumers. The Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs is available to assist residents with consumer complaints. They also have a “Wall of Shame” Registry available on their website, which lists individuals and companies that have been found in violation of the Suffolk County Licensing Law. The registry can be viewed by clicking here.

For more information about consumer protection, or for assistance with an issue or complaint, please contact Legislator Anker’s office at 631-854-1600.