HONOLULU – The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) commemorated National Consumer Protection Week by hosting its 18th Consumer Education Fair today at the historic King Kal?kaua Building. Throughout the pandemic, DCCA celebrated National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) through a series of informative virtual seminars featuring panelists from across the country. This year marked the return to an in-person consumer fair with more than five hundred members of the public in attendance who engaged with representatives from local, federal, and community organizations and agencies.

“The purpose of NCPW is to promote consumer education with free information that will help protect people’s privacy, manage their money and debt, and avoid fraud and scams,” said DCCA Director Nadine Ando. “We are pleased to be able to once again bring together so many vital organizations in-person to serve as a resource for our residents.”

Representatives were on hand to provide insightful tips and guidance on consumer best practices and to immediately assist attendees with questions relating to tax filings, financial assistance programs, kupuna care, and more. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs also highlighted the comprehensive BusinessCheck public information campaign. The campaign encourages people to protect themselves from unfortunate circumstances by utilizing BusinessCheck resources to look up and check on companies, individuals or licensed professionals they intend to hire or with whom they intend engage in business.

“To protect you and your loved ones before making a decision, go online before you sign,” said DCCA Director Nadine Ando.

Consumers can use BusinessCheck as a one-stop shop to find information on various businesses, individuals, and entities operating within the state. The website offers educational materials and online resources for consumers to be informed on complaints against an individual or company, licensing status, tax and business registration.

BusinessCheck is accessible online at http://BusinessCheck.hawaii.gov.

Agencies participating in Consumer Education Fair on Wednesday, March 8 included:

    AARP
    American Red Cross
    Better Business Bureau of Northwest and Pacific
    Blood Bank Hawai?i
    Catholic Charities of Hawai?i
    Federal Trade Commission
    Hawai?i Department of Taxation – Taxpayer Advocate
    Hawai?i Department of the Attorney General – Tax & Charities Division
    Hawai?i Department of the Attorney General – Crime Prevention & Justice Assistance
    Hawai?i HomeOwnership Center
    Hawai?i SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)
    Hawaiian Electric Company
    Honolulu Fire Department
    Honolulu Police Department
    Identity Theft Resource Center
    Internal Revenue Service – Taxpayer Advocate
    Long-Term Care Ombudsman
    Senior Medicare Patrol Hawai?i (SMP Hawai?i)
    Social Security Administration
    The Mediation Center of the Pacific
    U.S. Postal Inspector Service
    U.S. Postal Service
    Hawai?i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)

        Consumer Education Program
        Division of Financial Institutions
        Investor Education Program
        Business Action Center
        Hawai?i Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
        Insurance Division
        Office of Consumer Protection
        Consumer Resource Center
        State Certified Arbitration Program
        Real Estate Branch