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National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which highlights consumer protection and education efforts across the country, is proud to announce NCPW 2009 – Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy. Whether consumers are trying to stretch their paychecks, find a quick fix for a spotty credit history, or tell the difference between a real deal and a potentially fraudulent product or service, information is one tool that can always help them get the most for their money.

The NCPW website has the nuts and bolts consumers need to make informed decisions in today’s marketplace. Partner organizations have tips on a wide range of topics, from getting a free credit report to spotting a telemarketing scam, from dealing with debt to deterring and detecting identity theft, from avoiding home and auto repair scams to reporting credit repair scams.

Join this national campaign to reach consumers in communities where they live and work. Take advantage of the resources on this site, which represent the best tools that federal, state and local government agencies – and consumer advocacy organizations – have to offer. And use the Outreach Toolkit to promote NCPW 2009 in your community.

The NCPW Steering Committee:

Partner: AARP

AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Partner: Better Business Bureau

Better Business Bureaus (BBBs)
BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports™ and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring nearly 4 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.

Partner: Consumer Federation of America

Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
Consumer Federation of America is an association of some 300 nonprofit consumer groups that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, education, and advocacy at both national and state levels. CFA focuses on issues that directly affect consumers’ daily lives, including food and product safety, communications, energy, financial services, housing, insurance, privacy, and fraud

Federal Citizen Information Center

Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC)
Federal Citizen Information Center serves as a trusted one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services. FCIC’s "Pueblo, Colorado 81009" is probably one of the best-known addresses in the country. It's where you can write for the free Consumer Information Catalog and hundreds of low cost Federal publications on everything from your home and car to your health and financial questions. You can also get answers to your questions about the Federal Government and information to deal with everyday consumer issue – on the web and over the telephone.

On the FCIC web site, you can view hundreds of publications, find out about the latest product recalls and scams, privacy resources, or read about emerging consumer issues and topics. In addition, access the online edition of the Consumer Action Handbook, designed to help citizens find the best and most direct source for assistance with their consumer problems and questions.

Finally, our National Call Center serves as a single point of contact for individuals with questions about Federal Agencies, programs and services. Call 1-800-FED-INFO, between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT – our staff can answer your questions about all aspects of the Federal government or direct callers to an appropriate contact.

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as an independent U.S. government agency. The FCC regulates television, radio, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The FCC’s staff is organized by function, with seven Bureaus and 10 staff offices. The FCC’s website at www.fcc.gov, provides consumers with information on all of the above issues regulated by the FCC. The FCC provides information in Large Print, Braille, Spanish, and other languages upon request. Consumers may file complaints regarding a telecommunications service or cable service, provider service or phone bill online at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. Consumers may contact the FCC toll-free at 1-888-CALL-FCC, or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY).

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Established in 1933 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) promotes confidence in the banking system by insuring deposits in banks and savings associations. On October 3, 2008, Congress temporarily increased FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2009. For information about other recent changes to FDIC deposit insurance coverage, visit http://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/changes.html The FDIC examines and supervises state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System (also known as state non-member banks) for compliance with fair lending and other consumer protection laws and regulations.

The FDIC has statutory responsibility to promote and enforce compliance by FDIC-supervised financial institutions with fair lending and other consumer protection laws and regulations. In addition, as part of its responsibility as insurer of bank and thrift institution deposits, the FDIC promotes public understanding of and confidence in the federal deposit insurance system. The FDIC is committed to maintaining a high standard of service for the public. This is accomplished through the following activities:

  • Investigating and resolving complaints received from the general public concerning FDIC-supervised institutions.
  • Educating consumers and financial institutions about consumer protection laws and regulations and deposit insurance through outreach activities such as seminars.
  • Identifying and analyzing trends or problems in financial institutions that may affect consumer rights and protections.

The FDIC enhances its outreach efforts through its website, www.fdic.gov, which provides the public with ready access to FDIC consumer information, press releases, statistics on banking and other material. Electronic issues of the FDIC Consumer News, a quarterly newsletter for consumers on topics of interest to them also is readily accessible through this website. New information is continually added to the home page as it becomes available. Links to other federal agencies and other resources have been included on the home page to enhance its usefulness. Frequently requested consumer brochures on topics such as correcting bank account errors, safe Internet banking, and preventing ID theft are also available. Consumers also are able to pose questions about the regulations or file complaints about state non-member banks through the website.

Federal Trade Commission

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the nation's consumer protection champion. The FTC works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide the information to identify and avoid fraud and deception.

The FTC publishes free brochures on a variety of consumer related issues. For a complete list of publications go to www.ftc.gov and click on Consumer Protection, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD (202) 326-2502.

Consumers who have been the victim of fraud or deception may file a complaint online with the FTC at www.ftc.gov, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual disputes, the information you provide may indicate a pattern of possible law violations requiring action by the Commission.

National Association of Attorneys General

National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) counts among its members the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the District of Columbia and the chief legal officers of the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Attorneys General are the chief legal officers in their respective states and serve as counselors for state government agencies and the legislature and as representatives of the public interest. It is often said that Attorneys General occupy the intersection of law and public policy, dealing in areas as diverse as consumer protection, drug policy, and environmental protection. Through NAAG, Attorneys General are drawn together to work collectively on legal and public policy issues of common concern.

National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators

National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA)
The National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA) works aggressively to support and promote the public agencies responsible for ensuring an equitable and informed marketplace. It fosters a forum for lively exchange on the issues of the day, advances consumer education, and promotes equity in relationships between consumers and businesses.

Today, with a quarter century of results behind it, NACAA focuses on emerging consumer issues in North America and around the globe. NACAA members exchange creative new approaches to consumer education. Through dialogue and advocacy, they help formulate and modify consumer laws, policies and regulations. NACAA helps its members meet the challenges posed by new technologies and develop effective methods for reaching a changing population.

To assist the consumer, NACAA’s website provides consumer education tips and information about filing a complaint with state consumer protection and other government officials.

National Consumers League

National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's oldest consumer organization. Its mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL offers educational materials on a wide variety of subjects. Among the programs that NCL operates is LifeSmarts, www.lifesmarts.org, a consumer knowledge contest for teenagers, and the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, www.fraud.org, which provides advice to consumers about telemarketing and Internet fraud and relays information from consumers about suspected scams to law enforcement agencies.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) was created by Congress to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks. It also supervises the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. The OCC ensures a stable and competitive national banking system by working toward four objectives:

  • To ensure the safety and soundness of the national banking system.
  • To foster competition by allowing banks to offer new products and services.
  • To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OCC supervision, including reducing regulatory burden.
  • To ensure fair and equal access to financial services for all Americans.

The OCC's nationwide staff of examiners conducts on-site reviews of national banks and provides sustained supervision of bank operations. The agency issues rules, legal interpretations, and corporate decisions concerning banking, bank investments, bank community development activities, and other aspects of bank operations. National bank examiners supervise domestic and international activities of national banks, perform corporate analyses, and evaluate bank management's ability to identify and control risk.

United States Postal Inspection Service

United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is one of our country's oldest federal law enforcement agencies. The United States Postal Inspection Service has a long, proud and successful history of fighting criminals who attack our nation's postal system and misuse it to defraud, endanger or otherwise threaten the American public. As the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is tasked with the enforcement of over 200 federal laws covering investigations of crimes that adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail and postal system.

United States Postal Service

United States Postal Service (USPS)
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion, and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. Learn more about the U.S. Postal Service at: www.usps.com. To learn about the history of the U.S. Postal Service, visit the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum: www.postalmuseum.si.edu

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