Page 11 - Book8E

CHAPTER 1
Knowing Your Consumer Rights
It’s easy to pick on the federal government when we want to gripe about something, but when it comes to protecting your rights as a consumer, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its Bureau of Consumer Protection are some of your most helpful allies. For exam- ple, if you exercise your right to receive a free credit report, use the National Do Not Call Registry to block unwanted telemarketing calls, or refer to product warranties, care labels in your clothes, or stickers showing the energy costs of home appliances, you are taking advantage of laws enforced by the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection works to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. The Bureau conducts investigations, sues companies and people who violate the law, develops rules to protect consumers, and educates consumers and busi- nesses about their rights and responsibilities. The Bureau also collects complaints about consumer fraud and identity theft and makes them available to law enforcement agencies across the country.
State and Local Consumer Protection Resources
Did you know that in addition to the FTC and its Bureau of Consumer Protection, you also have access to state and local consumer protection services? It’s true. Every state in the nation provides such services on a state, county, or city level, or a combination of all of them. City, county,
1