(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department is celebrating National Consumer Protection Week March 3 - 5 by hosting a series of presentations on foreclosure rescue fraud and the different services the department provides for free to the public.  A total of three presentations will be held in the evenings at 6:30 p.m. with the first starting Tuesday, March 3 at the West Flagler Branch Library, 5050 West Flagler Street in Miami.  The next presentation will be held Wednesday, March 4 at the West Kendall Regional Library, 10201 Hammocks Blvd.; and the final event wraps up Thursday, March 5 at the North Dade Regional Library, 2455 N.W. 183rd Street in Miami.  Representatives from Mayor Carlos Alvarez' Mortgage Fraud Task Force will also be participating.

National Consumer Protection Week is a time to highlight consumer education efforts across the country that help people get the most for their money and teaches them how to tell the difference between a real deal and a potential fraud.  The Consumer Services Department is using this year's theme, Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today's Economy, to focus on a prevalent problem in our community - foreclosure.  The presentations will examine the types of fraudulent activities used by unscrupulous individuals to prey on people who are desperate to save their homes.  Presenters will also provide tools to protect oneself and guidance on how to find legitimate help for related financial problems.