Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today launched a new effort to help Kansans avoid falling victim to scams and deceptive business practices.

Schmidt announced the new initiative, called “In Your Corner Kansas,” during the National Association of Attorneys General Fall Consumer Protection Seminar, which Schmidt is hosting this week in Wichita.

“Scams and ripoffs can leave people feeling frustrated and alone not knowing where to turn for help,” Schmidt said. “The idea behind this new initiative is to remind Kansas consumers each and every day that their Attorney General’s office is in their corner and here to help.”

The new outreach effort features a new user-friendly website, www.InYourCornerKansas.org. The website contains information about the latest scams being reported to the Attorney General’s office, and answers to frequently asked questions about consumer protection issues on a variety of topics.

Schmidt said the “In Your Corner Kansas” program will be a sustained effort by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to provide Kansans with information that can help them avoid falling victim to scams and ripoffs. The program also will include an expanded effort by the Attorney General’s office to make presentations to community groups about ways to protect themselves from scams.

Visitors to the website can find information about the latest scams circulating in the Sunflower State, read and download informational brochures with consumer protection tips, file complaints to request investigations by the Attorney General’s office, or request a speaker from the Attorney General’s office to present consumer-protection information to their groups.

Since taking office in 2011, Schmidt, who previously served as an assistant attorney general for consumer protection, has made consumer protection a priority for the Attorney General’s office. Last year, the office handled more than 4,000 complaints from Kansas consumers and recovered a record $49 million.

Consumers can find more information at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or by calling the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 432-2310.