Tampa, FL – (October 23, 2007) – Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, said today it will donate and distribute more than 7,000 free children’s bike helmets on October 25. The company is partnering with law enforcement agencies from 11 Florida counties to make sure that children get this vital protection.

The helmets are available in three sizes: small, medium and large. They will be distributed from 6 to 10 a.m. by Amscot Financial managers and law enforcement personnel in the parking lots of the locations listed below.

 This marks the fifth year in which Amscot has distributed free bike helmets in counties where Amscot does business. Over that period, Amscot has distributed more than 20,000 free bike helmets.

According to law enforcement statistics, more than 100 bicycle-related deaths occur every year in the state of Florida. National records indicate that more than 94 percent of all bicyclists killed are not wearing helmets. This marks the fifth year that Amscot Financial has donated and distributed free bike helmets in counties in which it does business.

“We feel strongly that every child who rides a bike ought to have a helmet,” said Ian MacKechnie, founder and CEO of Amscot Financial. “Wearing a properly fitted bike helmet is a very simple, common sense thing to do.”

Amscot Financial is Florida’s leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services. The company offers an array of convenience-oriented financial services, including the cashing of personal checks, out-of-state checks and government
checks; cash advances; Western Union wire transfers, notary services and pre-paid debit cards. Amscot Financial also offers consumers the ability to purchase money orders – with no service fees.

Amscot Financial currently operates 163 retail service centers in Hillsborough,
Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, Sarasota, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia and Brevard counties. Amscot Financial’s locations are open seven days a week and are typically open Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday hours are typically from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Select Amscot locations are open 24 hours a day.

The Amscot Financial locations where free bike helmets will be distributed are:

• Hardee County
• 1530 U.S. Hwy 17 N, Wauchula
• Hernando
• 11148 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill
• Highlands
• 1203 U.S. Hwy 27 North, Sebring
• Hillsborough            
• 105 W. Alexander Street, Plant City
• 8409 North Florida Ave., Tampa
• 7731 Palm River Road, Tampa
• Manatee
• 3611 1st Street East, Bradenton
• 3400 W. Manatee Avenue, Bradenton
• Orange
• 939 N. Semoran Blvd., Orlando
• Osceola
• 1229 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee
• Pasco
• 3416 U.S. Hwy 19 North, Holiday
• 7707 Gall Blvd, Zephyrhills
• Pinellas
• 6800 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg
• 11156 Starkey Road, Largo
• 6585 102nd Ave N., Pinellas Park
• 1825 Gulf to Bay, Clearwater
• Polk
• 4314 US Hwy 98 North, Lakeland
• 111 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven
• Sarasota
• 4206 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota County
• 560 N Washington Blvd., Sarasota

The law enforcement agencies joining forces with Amscot to distribute the free bike helmets include the:

• Avon Park Police Department
• Bradenton Police Department
• Clearwater Police Department
• Davenport Police Department
• Haines City Police Department
• Hardee County Sheriff’s Office
• Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
• Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
• Holmes Beach Police Department
• Lakeland Police Department
• Lake Wales Police Department
• Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
• Manatee County Police Department
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department
• Osceola County Sheriff’s Department
• Palmetto Police Department
• Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
• Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
• Pinellas County Police Department        
• Plant City Police Department
• Polk County Sheriff’s Office
• Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
• Sarasota Police Department
• St. Pete Beach Police Department
• Tampa Police Department
• Zephyrhills Police Department

About Amscot Financial
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, check cashing services, cash advance services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company.  Amscot Financial currently operates 163 tax preparation offices and 163 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. In March 2006, Amscot Financial has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay’s Best Places to Work for two consecutive years. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com