Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Are you wondering about the best way to improve your credit, shop for a used car, or shop safely online?
The Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information (MOCI), a Local Consumer Program working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office serving Hampden County and parts of Worcester County, has information for you during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) — March 2 - 8, 2025 — and any time of the year. NCPW is a time when government agencies, consumer protection groups, and organizations like MOCI work together to share information about consumer rights and help people learn to spot, report, and avoid scams.
During the week, and throughout the month of March, MOCI will be at offering several events, including a tabling at Springfield City Hall Atrium on Wednesday, March 5 from 9am to 11:30am. They will be joined by staff from the Western Division Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Western New England College’s Center for Social Justice to answer consumer questions and distribute educational materials to help empower consumers.
Mayor Sarno states, “Consumer protection is very important for our residents. My administration, through Milagros Johnson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information, is proud to host a local consumer program and informational tabling session at City Hall in recognition of National Consumer Protection Week. Between identity theft, fraud, lemon laws, and certain financial losses, residents need to be aware of and educated on what criminals are doing and how to protect themselves and their loved ones. Working in cooperation with Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s Office, through my Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information, we hold various outreach programs and initiatives to help raise awareness and what recourse and action can be taken to avoid becoming a victim of consumer theft or what steps to take if you are unfortunately a victim of consumer theft.”
The MOCI will also be hosting a tabling at the Chicopee Senior Center on Monday, March 3 from 10:00am to 11:30am, and the Westfield Senior Center on Friday, March 7th from 8:30am to 10:00am.
A workshop presentation on home improvement (“Homework for the Homeowner”) is scheduled at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center on Wednesday, March 6 from 10:00 am to 11:15am however reservation is required. To reserve a seat, please contact the Center directly at (413) 787-6785.
The MOCI stands by its motto, “Education is the Best Prevention!” and will dedicate the week of March 2 to remind consumers of the importance of consumer protection.
Go to https://www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/moci for more information. Also, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) www.ftc.gov/ncpw to learn how to get free consumer education materials — including advice in a dozen languages — and read the latest from consumer protection experts.
