ALBANY, N.Y. -- Preventing insurance and telephone fraud, learning which state agencies and legislative committees do what in serving consumers and better understanding consumer legislation and regulatory processes and policies in New York will be the focus of a free workshop, Making and Enforcing Consumer Policy, on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16-17, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

Co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Department of Consumer Economics and Housing at Cornell University and the New York State Consumer Protection Board, the workshop is intended to give consumer educators, teachers, extension staff, consumer advocates, concerned consumers, community decision-makers and government officials who work with consumers a flavor of recent New York consumer legislation and regulatory processes and policies and how they affect consumers, said Lois Wright Morton, senior extension associate at Cornell and workshop organizer.

On Oct. 16, topics include "Stop Fraud: Senior Telemarketing," by Annette Buchanan of the American Association of Retired Persons; "Telephone Fraud: Don't Be a Victim," by Elaine Scaia-Harbinger of NYNEX; and a consumer advocate panel on the roles and functions of state agencies serving the consumer. Panelists include Timothy Carey, Executive Director, New York State Consumer Protection Board; Dan Walsh, New York State Business Council; and representatives from the attorney general's office and the New York State Insurance Department. The panel will be succeeded by representatives from the Consumer Protection Legislative Committee to talk about the legislative process of preparing and passing consumer bills.

On Thursday, presenters include Judge Raymond Elliott III to discuss small claims court; representatives of the New York State Consumer Protection Board discussing "Power Choice: Competitive Opportunity Utility Restructuring"; and John Denio Sr., investigator for the New York State Insurance Department, to discuss insurance fraud.

To preregister or to receive a map, parking information and agenda details, contact Lois Wright Morton, Consumer Economics and Housing, 106 MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, or e-mail lwm2@cornell.edu by Sept. 13. Walk-ins also are welcome.