POSTMASTER KIT

• NCJ Number: 55634
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 41 pages
• Corporate Author: US Postal Inspection Service
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS IS A MEDIA KIT FOR USE BY POSTMASTERS DURING POSTAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK, APRIL 10-15, AND INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONS, PRESS RELEASES, RADIO AND TELEVISION SCRIPTS, A SPEECH, AND A PROCLAMATION.

Abstract

POSTAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK CENTERS UPON THE RELIABILITY OF MAIL-ORDER BUYING AND THE PROCEDURES AVAILABLE TO POSTAL CUSTOMERS FOR RESOLVING MAIL-ORDER PROBLEMS AND HANDLING SUSPECTED FALSE REPRESENTATION BY MAIL OR FRAUD CASES. DURING THIS WEEK, CUSTOMERS ARE ALSO REMINDED OF THE CONSUMER SERVICE CARD PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES A MEANS FOR CONSUMERS TO RECORD ANY COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TRANSACTIONS THROUGH THE MAIL; THIS INFORMATION IS USED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE TO TRY AND HELP CONSUMERS DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEM. THE MEDIA KIT IS INTENDED TO HELP THE POSTMASTER PRESENT AN EFFECTIVE POSTAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK IN HER OR HIS COMMUNITY. SPECIFIC STEPS FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ARE LISTED, AND A PRESS RELEASE WITH STATISTICS INDICATING THE EXTENT OF FINANCIAL LOSS THROUGH MAIL FRAUD IN 1977 IS INCLUDED. A CONSUMER PROTECTION SPEECH WHICH GIVES EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC MAIL FRAUD SCHEMES AND REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE POSTAL SERVICE IN COMBATING SUCH FRAUD IS ALSO PROVIDED. SUPPLEMENTAL PRESS RELEASES ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DEALING WITH MAIL FRAUD ARE INCLUDED, AND A SUGGESTED PROCLAMATION BY THE POSTMASTER FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK IS SUPPLIED. RADIO AND TELEVISION SCRIPTS GIVE SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS TO CONSUMERS ON HOW THEY CAN AVOID AND HELP COMBAT FRAUDULENT USE OF THE MAILS. A FACT SHEET PROVIDES INFORMATION ON HOW THE POSTAL SERVICE PROVIDES CONSUMER HELP IN MAIL FRAUD, FALSE REPRESENTATION, MAIL-ORDER PROBLEMS, MAIL PROTECTION, AND CONSUMER SERVICE COMPLAINTS. THE VARIOUS POSTAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN CONSUMER PROTECTION ARE ALSO DISCUSSED--POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE, CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFICE OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT, CONSUMER ADVOCATE'S OFFICE, AND JUDICIAL OFFICE. SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR BUYING BY MAIL ARE PRESENTED. (RCB)