Shopping Safely From Home National Consumer Protection Week

Armchair Armor: Shopping Safely From Home

Shopping from home offers choice and convenience, but consumers need to know the rules and use the tools to protect themselves from fraudulent offers and unsafe products.

What does "Shopping Safely From Home" include?

  • Online/e-commerce
  • Telemarketing
  • Mail Order
  • Door-to-Door
  • Yard Sales and Flea Markets

What are the key messages?

  • Know who you’re dealing with. Find out where the seller is located and check its reputation.
  • Protect your privacy. Provide personal information only if you know who’s collecting it, why, and how it’s going to be used.
  • Pay the safest way. Know the different options for payments and use the one that offers the best protection.
  • Know what you’re buying. Get a complete description and all terms of the transaction. If you are buying a used item, check to make sure that it meets safety standards.
  • Think it through. Don’t act on impulse or because of pressure.
  • Know who to complain to. Find out what government agencies, industry organizations or other groups can help you if you have a problem.

What are the benefits of participating in NCPW 2000?

  • Obtain visibility for your company, agency or organization.
  • Protect and educate employees, customers, constituents.
  • Increase consumer confidence in shopping from home.
  • Reduce the number of complaints about shopping experiences.
  • Help raise public awareness about consumer protection issues.
  • Increase support for community-based activities.
  • Demonstrate support for consumer protection objectives

What can I do to participate in NCPW 2000?

  • Sponsor promotional events during NCPW 2000.
  • Take actions within your own company, agency or organization to implement or reinforce the messages about shopping safely from home. Educate your employees through newsletters, brown bag lunches, speakers, etc.
  • Produce and distribute your own materials using the NCPW theme and tools, or use the materials that are available from others.
  • Produce radio and television public service announcements, cable TV shows.
  • Hold seminars, conferences, community fairs and other educational events.
  • Create national or local partnerships to maximize your impact.
  • Help advertise NCPW 2000.
  • Submit nominations for the two NCPW contests: Consumer of the Year and Outstanding Consumer Education Campaign.

rule.gif (947 bytes)

Revised: 12/18/00