[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7523]

Proc. 7523

Proclamation 7523 of February 4, 2002

National Consumer Protection Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          Each year, we recognize the important role played by public 
          and private organizations in ensuring that the American 
          consumer is protected from unfair practices. The theme of this 
          year's National Consumer Protection Week is ``Consumer 
          Confidential: The Privacy Story.'' By focusing on consumer 
          privacy and the protection of personal information, this week 
          will help Americans learn more about securing their personal 
          information and preserving privacy.
          Advances in computer technology have enabled the more 
          efficient use of information, which has benefitted society as 
          a whole and individual consumers in particular. Americans now 
          enjoy better access to credit and fi

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          nancial services, shopping choices, and educational resources. 
          However, as personal information becomes more accessible, 
          consumers, corporations, and government agencies must take 
          precautions against the misuse of that information.
          One of the most harmful abuses of personal information is 
          identity theft. This occurs when someone steals a Social 
          Security number, a birth date, or some other important piece 
          of personal information to open new, fraudulent charge 
          accounts, to order merchandise, or to borrow money. Victims 
          usually find out about such frauds when collection agencies 
          pursue them for payment on these illegally created accounts, 
          or they are denied credit because of unpaid debts accrued by 
          identity thieves.
          While vigorous law enforcement is vital to preventing the 
          misuse of personal information, consumer education is the 
          first line of defense against this kind of fraud and 
          deception. An educated consumer is a confident consumer; and 
          it is confident consumers who drive the economy of our Nation.
          A number of public and private entities are joining forces 
          this year to highlight consumer education efforts throughout 
          the Nation. These efforts will help consumers learn more about 
          securing personal information and privacy issues. The entities 
          involved include the following: the Federal Trade Commission, 
          the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, 
          the National Consumers League, the American Association of 
          Retired Persons, the Better Business Bureau, the Consumer 
          Federation of America, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. 
          Postal Inspection Service, the National Association of 
          Attorneys General, and the Federal Consumer Information 
          Center. These groups will help consumers understand how 
          information and privacy issues affect their lives and the 
          decisions they make in the marketplace.
          During National Consumer Protection Week, I encourage all 
          Americans to learn more about ways to safeguard their personal 
          information, recognize fraudulent telemarketers, and identify 
          fraudulent e-mail. Through these measures, individuals can 
          better protect their financial security and ultimately 
          contribute to the long-term strength of our economy.
          NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United 
          States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by 
          the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby 
          proclaim February 3 through 9, 2002, as National Consumer 
          Protection Week. I call upon Government officials, industry 
          leaders, and consumer advocates to provide consumers 
          information about the use and misuse of personal information. 
          This will help safeguard the economic future of all Americans.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth 
          day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and 
          of the Independence of the United States of America the two 
          hundred and twenty-sixth.

GEORGE W. BUSH