ACADEMY OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK GEARS UP FOR
12TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTETION WEEK

WASHINGTON— March 8, 2010 – Today, Academy of Social Entrepreneurship Network joins with federal, state and local government agencies and consumer protection organizations to announce the 12th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7-13. This coordinated consumer education campaign encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

This year’s theme -- Dollars & Sense: Rated “A” for All Ages -- highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement. In recognition of NCPW 2010, Academy of Social Entrepreneurship Network and its partners are promoting free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams.

"The message of National Consumer Protection Week 2010 is simple: It’s never too early or too late to become a more informed and empowered consumer,” said Dr. James H. Nguyen, Academy of Social Entrepreneurship Network. “Regardless of your age or financial situation, there are useful lessons to learn about spending and managing money wisely. Academy of Social Entrepreneurship Network encourages everyone to visit the NCPW website, www.consumer.gov/ncpw, for tips about making smarter decisions in the marketplace. ”

This year, The Academy of Social Entrepreneurship Network will be reaching out to work from home based business Entrepreneurs, focusing on websites, videos and polls designed for the network marketing audience. Studies have shown that every 8 seconds someone is joining a Home Based Business and this demographic is growing exponentially. Billions of dollars will be spent on goods and services each year, so it makes sense to provide them with these valuable tools.

It’s essential that individuals looking to make money from an online business understand key consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, and marketing and advertising. The new site, www.ConsumerWellnessNetwork.com, is currently under construction and will be available March 13, 2010. Meanwhile, the Academy can be found at www.myASEN.com .

National organizers of this year’s NCPW include AARP, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Federation of America, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the Federal Citizen’s Information Center, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Attorneys General, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Postal Service.

For more information about NCPW, visit www.consumer.gov/ncpw.
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Reporting Possible Fraud

If you suspect a business opportunity promotion is fraudulent, report it to:

* the state attorney general's office in the state where you live and in the state where the business opportunity promoter is based.
* your county or state consumer protection agency. Check the blue pages of the phone book under county and state government.
* the Better Business Bureau in your area and the area where the promoter is based.
* the FTC. File a complaint online at www.ftc.gov or call toll free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).