About Us
National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated consumer education campaign that encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights. NCPW 2010 was March 7-13. This year’s theme — Dollars & Sense: Rated “A” for All Ages — highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.
For NCPW 2010, partner organizations have provided free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams. This year partners are focusing on resources for kids by highlighting consumer education websites, videos and games designed for a younger audience.
Use the Outreach Toolkit to promote NCPW 2010 in your community and 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. Check out our blog for helpful tips and to let us know your NCPW plans.
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.
The Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) 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.
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) 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
The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) 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, post a comment on our blog, 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.You can also visit USA.gov, the U.S. government’s official web portal, to access government services and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.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. ET – our staff can answer your questions about all aspects of the Federal government or direct callers to an appropriate contact.
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 website at www.fcc.gov provides consumers with information on all of the above issues regulated by the FCC. In addition, 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).
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring deposits in banks and thrift institutions for at least $250,000; by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the deposit insurance funds; and by limiting the effect on the economy and the financial system when a bank or thrift institution fails. An independent agency of the federal government, the FDIC was created in 1933 in response to the thousands of bank failures that occurred in the 1920s and early 1930s. Since the start of FDIC insurance on January 1, 1934, no depositor has lost a single cent of insured funds as a result of a failure.Savings, checking and other deposit accounts, when combined, are generally insured to $250,000 per depositor in each bank or thrift the FDIC insures. The standard insurance amount of $250,000 per depositor is in effect through December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the standard insurance amount will return to $100,000 per depositor for all account categories except IRAs and other certain retirement accounts, which will remain at $250,000 per depositor. Deposits held in different categories of ownership – such as single or joint accounts – may be separately insured. The FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator can help you determine if you have adequate deposit insurance for your accounts. The FDIC insures deposits only. It does not insure securities, mutual funds or similar types of investments that banks and thrift institutions may offer. (Insured and Uninsured Investments distinguishes between what is and is not protected by FDIC insurance.)To protect insured depositors, the FDIC responds immediately when a bank or thrift institution fails. Institutions generally are closed by their chartering authority — the state regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or the Office of Thrift Supervision. The FDIC has several options for resolving institution failures, but the one most used is to sell deposits and loans of the failed institution to another institution. Customers of the failed institution automatically become customers of the assuming institution. Most of the time, the transition is seamless from the customer’s point of view.
The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States. It was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. Over the years, its role in banking and the economy has expanded. Today, the Federal Reserve’s duties fall into four general areas:
- conducting the nation’s monetary policy by influencing the monetary and credit conditions in the economy in pursuit of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates;
- supervising and regulating banking institutions to ensure the safety and soundness of the nation’s banking and financial system;
- protecting the credit rights of consumers by developing and administrating regulations that implement major federal consumer credit laws such as the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and the Truth in Savings Act;
- maintaining the stability of the financial system and containing systemic risk that may arise in financial markets;
- and providing financial services to depository institutions, the U.S. government, and foreign official institutions, including playing major role in operating the nation’s payments system.
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.
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.
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.
The National Consumers League (NCL), 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 Fraud Center, 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.
The National Futures Association (NFA), a congressionally authorized self-regulatory organization, is the premier independent provider of innovative and efficient regulatory programs that safeguard the integrity of the futures markets. National Futures Association provides innovative regulatory programs and services that ensure futures industry integrity, protect market participants and help its Members meet their regulatory responsibilities.
NeighborWorks® America is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance and training for community-based revitalization efforts. NeighborWorks includes a national network of 235 community-based organizations in 50 states, which strives to create healthy communities through the work of thousands of residents, business people, government officials and other partners.
Loan Modification Scam Alert Campaign
In October 2009, NeighborWorks® America launched a national public education campaign to educate homeowners about loan modification scams. The campaign empowers homeowners to protect themselves against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities. NeighborWorks® America is joined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of the Treasury, Federal Trade Commission, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and other national, state and local partners including 235 community-based affiliates. Together, they will alert thousands of homeowners in hundreds of communities through real-life scam stories, fliers, postcards, e-cards, posters, print advertising, radio PSAs, events, word of mouth and social media activity. Materials are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
The campaign encourages homeowners to “Know the signs. Get the facts.” Homeowners can call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for loan modification guidance from a HUD-approved counseling agency or to report a scam, or visit http://www.LoanScamAlert.org.
The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), organized in 1919, is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. NASAA is a voluntary association with a membership consisting of securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico. As the preeminent organization of securities regulators, NASAA is committed to protecting investors from fraud and abuse, educating investors, supporting capital formation, and helping ensure the integrity and efficiency of financial markets. NASAA represents and serves its members through advocacy, education, subject matter expertise, communication, and coordination. NASAA members license firms and their agents, investigate violations of state and provincial law, file enforcement actions when appropriate, and educate the public about investment fraud. NASAA has a long history of advocating for federal and state legislation, rule making, and coordinated enforcement actions that advance the goal of protecting investors. For more information, visit www.nasaa.org.
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.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), founded by Benjamin Franklin, 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.
The United States Postal Service (USPS), an independent federal agency, 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
back to top