Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is co-hosting a public forum with Congressman Chris Van Hollen titled, “Your Money Matters: Financial Consumer Protection for Today’s Economy.” The forum will be held on Tuesday, May 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring.

Speakers at the forum include special guest, Professor Elizabeth Warren, assistant to the President and special advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy is also scheduled to speak. Representatives from more than 30 federal, state and county agencies will participate in the forum.

Forum attendees will have an opportunity to talk to experts, gather information and learn about a number of topics, including mail fraud, lotteries and sweepstake scams, investment scams, foreclosure prevention, identify theft, Medicare fraud, long-term care issues, benefit advice for veterans and social security recipients, and more.

“Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection has been ensuring integrity in our marketplace for almost four decades,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “We look forward to having an opportunity to collaborate with consumer champions like Congressman Van Hollen and other regulatory agencies to discuss consumer protection issues with our residents and to facilitate the dissemination of a wealth of valuable information.”

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the forum should contact Congressman Van Hollen’s office at 301-424-3501. Parking is available at the parking garage located at 801 Ellsworth Drive, across the street from the civic building.

The Office of Consumer Protection investigates thousands of complaints each year involving new home purchases, home improvements, credit issues, automotive sales and repairs, retail sales, Internet services and most other consumer transactions. OCP provides pre-purchase information to consumers and speakers to the community on consumer issues.

For more information, call 240-777-3636.