The San Diego Better Business Bureau is putting finishing touches on plans for its seventh annual Scam Jam Consumer Expo, featuring 10News Troubleshooter Marti Emerald.
Scam Jam was first held a few years ago at the Channel 10 studios attracting about 100 consumers and advocates who were eager to share ideas to drive fraud out of San Diego.
Scam Jam has since grown to become one of the foremost consumer protection seminars in the nation, filling San Diego's Golden Hall at the Community Concourse downtown.
This year, 3, 100 consumers have made reservations for this free day-long consumer expo, with 66 consumer protection agencies and organizations on hand to answer questions and guide 15 breakout sessions.
The sessions offer a lot of good information for everyone.
The director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Kathleen Hamilton, will lead off the event with "Six Hot Tips" to beat fraud before it beats you.
Other sessions include legal information for senior citizens, cutting-edge schemes and crime fighting by the FBI, and the latest on insurance and investment scams.
San Diego County's District Attorney Paul Pfingst will speak, as will audience favorite Chuck Whitlock, the network TV investigative crime reporter.
And San Diego's leading consumer reporters from television and print will host a "Rock-'em-Sock-'em" session on how they get the bad guys and protect consumers.
This year, Scam Jam will also include a wellness program sponsored by Sharp Health Care.
BBB President Gerry Wilson is quick to add that he will be providing free coffee and muffins when the doors open at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 8.
And he's got free hotdogs for lunch.
Also entertainment: The Spot lighters high-kicking dance team, a barbershop quartet, and the U.S. Marine Corp Band.
There is still room at Scam Jam 2002, if you make your reservation now.
Call the Better Business Bureau at (858) 637-6199.
See you at Scam Jam, where you can learn how to beat fraud before it beat you.