U.S. Using Mail to Help Stamp Out Mail Fraud

Federal regulators have taken an interesting tack in warning consumers about the pitfalls that can lurk in unsolicited mail.

They are sending every household in America--you guessed it--unsolicited mail.

Right about now, U.S. consumers should be receiving postcards cautioning them about mail fraud--the free vacation offers that turn out to have hidden costs, the too-good-to-be-true business opportunities, the bogus sweepstakes prizes.

The mailing is part of the “Catch the Bandit in Your Mailbox” campaign, an effort spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission, Postal Inspection Service and several other agencies.

The FTC began the effort in October 1998 but has expanded it substantially since then.

Several trade associations, including the American Society of Travel Agents, recently agreed to post the “Bandit” logo on their Web sites. When users click on the logo, it links them to educational material on how to recognize and prevent mail fraud.

A growing list of consumer groups also has begun to feed fraud-related complaints into the FTC’s database, dubbed the “Consumer Sentinel.”

State regulators have filed more than 160 lawsuits in the last two years accusing companies of mail fraud. Most of the suits target deceptive travel or sweepstakes offers.

For more information about the “Bandit” campaign or to file complaints, call the FTC at (877) FTC-HELP or the Postal Inspection Service at (800) 372-8347.

This month, federal regulators are expected to unveil a similar campaign targeting telemarketing fraud. Thankfully, they have no plans to call consumers at dinner hour to tell them about it.

A Moving Tribute to Energy Efficiency

If big electric bills are giving you a jolt, you may want to take a ride on Southern California Edison’s Energy Star Solutions Bus.

The bus is a 38-foot pseudo-home on wheels, featuring the most energy-efficient types of household appliances, office equipment, lights, electronics and windows.

All the products on display bear the Energy Star label, indicating they are among the most efficient in their classes, according to criteria developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Typically, they use 15% to 40% less power than standard models.

More than 3,400 products have qualified for the Energy Star program. By using them, the average household could save up to $400 a year, the EPA says.

Today, consumers can check out the bus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Home Depot in Marina del Rey. On Saturday, it moves to Saddleback Appliances in Laguna Hills, then hits the Signal Hill Home Depot on Sunday.

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Robin Fields covers consumer issues. She can be reached at (714) 966-7810 and at robin.fields@latimes.com.