Wis. Bureau of Consumer Protection: To launch media campaign featuring timely advice for smart & safe holiday gift giving

Contact: Brock Bergey, 608-224-5007

MADISON – The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection is announcing a five day media campaign to help consumers make informed decisions while shopping for holiday gifts.

“We are taking an in depth approach to better educate and protect consumers during this hectic time of year,” said Janet Jenkins, Administrator of the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. “Our goal is to get out as much information as possible.”

‘Holiday Gift Giving: In Depth’ will kick off on Monday, November 29 and wrap up on Friday, December 3. A different gift giving topic will be highlighted each day, as follows:

Monday, November 29 Cybershopping – safe online transactions; fraud & identity theft prevention

Tuesday, November 30 Price accuracy – getting what you pay for; scanner errors; receipt reviewing

Wednesday, December 1 Gift cards – new rules this year; reading the fine print; receipts

Thursday, December 2 Gift returns – terms and conditions; gift receipts; online returns

Friday, December 3 Safe toys – recalled products; possible hazards; age appropriateness

“The media will play a key role in this project,” added Jenkins. “We will provide news organizations all around the state with daily news releases and access to additional resources regarding each topic. It is our hope that the media will print or broadcast these consumer alerts for their respective audiences. Daily updates will also be posted on DATCP’s home page at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us.”

Many Wisconsin consumers have already begun their holiday shopping and many more will do so this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Consumer Protection offers a holiday shopping fact sheet full of timely information. It is available online at http://datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/factsheets/pdf/HolidayShopping212.pdf.

For more consumer information, or to file a consumer complaint, contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection by e-mail at DATCPHotline@wi.gov or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-422-7128.