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Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch  518.473.9472|518.474.2896
 For Immediate Release: September 17, 2008

THE NYS CONSUMER PROTECTION BOARD COMMEMORATES NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2008

The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) joins with people across the country in observing National Hispanic Heritage Month 2008, an annual celebration of the achievements and significant roles Hispanic Americans continue to play in making our State and nation strong and prosperous. The observance, which started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson, was expanded and enacted into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Recognizing these contributions and building upon Governor Paterson's recognition of the “irreplaceable contributions from Hispanic-Americans to our great State” and his commitment to efficient and effective government accessible to all New Yorkers, the CPB is highlighting its efforts to serve and empower the Hispanic community.

“A thriving New York is due in large part to its rich diversity of ideas and cultures,” said Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board. “Accomplishments and contributions by Hispanic-Americans enrich our lives, and make our State a better place in which to live and work. The Paterson Administration and the CPB have redoubled our efforts to ensure that needed services and information reach members of Hispanic communities across the State, in undeserved urban and rural areas, from upstate to New York City.”

The CPB has focused on enhancing its educational programming to and information for New York’s Hispanic consumers, creating numerous bilingual outreach programs, and has concentrated its efforts on consumer issues uniquely affecting Hispanic individuals who represent a growing demographic of New York’s population. From 2000 to 2006, the purchasing power of Hispanics/Latinos climbed more than 63% to $798 billion. By 2011, it will top $1.2 trillion, according to the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. The purchasing power of Latinos in New York is estimated at $71 billion by the Center of Philanthropy and Civil Society at the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. U.S. Census Bureau data now places Hispanics at roughly 44 million in 2007 – nearly 15 percent of the U.S. population – making the U.S. the third-largest concentration of Hispanics in the world, after Mexico and Colombia.

“As part of the CPB’s commitment to assuring that the interests and hard-earned money of the Hispanic community are protected, and in commemoration of this auspicious national celebration, we are taking this opportunity to raise awareness about CPB resources available to the Hispanics across the State,” continued Chairperson Bockstein.

The CPB provides:
  • Spanish language presentations and workshops ranging from avoiding scams and identity theft to credit management and Internet safety designed for the Hispanic community and presented by our Spanish-speaking staff.
  • Spanish language publications and tip cards on consumer issues such as: Senior scams, energy service companies, toy safety, the Do Not Call law and the digital television transition.
  • A monthly advice column, “Your Rights as a Consumer,” published in many Spanish newspapers across New York State, provides tips and advice on topical consumer issues.
  • A toll-free hotline (1-888-697-1220) staffed by Spanish-speaking CPB consumer advisors affords consumers who have complaints, questions and concerns with mediation services and assistance.
  • A multilingual website (www.nysconsumer.gov) provides valuable consumer information, including a monthly podcast, in Spanish, featuring topics of interest to the community.
The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the “Do Not Call Law”; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.
To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call our toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information. To join the CPB’s Do Not Call Reminder list, send an e-mail to CPB's Do Not Call Reminder list