New Brochure Explains Your Rights to Privacy

The FDIC and other federal government agencies have published a new brochure to help consumers understand their right to "opt out" or say "no" to certain information-sharing by banks and other financial companies. The publication—"Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information"—explains the importance of privacy notices from financial companies as well as the rights and responsibilities of consumers under the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. The new guide is available from the five federal regulators of depository institutions as well as from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. To obtain a copy from the FDIC, contact our Public Information Center, or read or print the publication at Privacy Choices on the FDIC's Web site.

Tips for Hanging Up On Fraudulent Calls

Americans lose more than $40 billion a year to fraudulent telephone calls for everything from vacations and lotteries to credit-card protection and loans. That's why a new Federal Trade Commission Web site helps consumers s tell the difference between unsolicited calls from con artists and those from legitimate sales people. If you don't have easy access to the Internet, you can order a copy of the new FTC brochure "Ditch the Pitch: Hanging Up on Telephone Hucksters," by calling toll-free (877) FTC-HELP or (877) 382-4357.

Now on Sale: Patriot Bonds

The U.S. Treasury Department has designated the latest Series EE Savings Bonds as "Patriot Bonds" to encourage Americans to contribute to the government's war on terrorism and save for their future. As with all Treasury securities, the proceeds will go into the federal government's general fund and not for any one purpose. The Patriot Bond is identical to other Series EE bonds except that "Patriot Bond" is printed on top. Patriot Bonds can be purchased through participating financial institutions or on the Internet using the Treasury's "Savings Bond Direct" service. For more information, go to Savings Bonds on the Web.