skip navigation bar and go to main content link to www.consumer.gov National Consumer Protection Week 1999 Home Page National Consumer Protection Week 2000 Home Page National Consumer Protection Week 2001 Home Page National Consumer Protection Week 2002 Home Page National Consumer Protection Week 2003 Home Page
National Consumer Protection Week 2004, Financial Literacy: Earning A Lifetime of Dividends
National Consumer Protection Week 2004 Home Page
Consumer Information
For Young People
Spanish and Other Languages
Outreach Toolkit
Consumer and Economic Development Research and Information Center
NCPW 2004 Steering Committee
Hot Links
Steering Committee

AARP
http://www.aarp.org
AARP, celebrating 40 years of service to Americans of all ages, is the nation's leading organization for people age 50 and older. It serves their needs and interests through information and education, advocacy and community services which are provided by a network of local chapters and experienced volunteers throughout the country. The organization also offers members a wide range of special benefits and services, including Modern Maturity magazine and the monthly Bulletin.

Better Business Bureaus
http://www.bbb.org
Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by local business members. The focus of BBB activities is to promote an ethical marketplace by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices, and by providing alternative dispute resolution. BBBs offer consumer education materials; answer consumer questions; provide information about businesses, particularly whether or not there are unanswered or unsettled complaints or other marketplace problems; help to resolve buyer/seller complaints; and provide information about charities and other organizations that are seeking public donations. You can access the BBB at www.bbb.org; to obtain business and charity reports, to file a complaint about a company or charity, or to view scam alerts and information about BBB locations and programs. The BBBOnLine web site, www.bbbonline.org; provides information about online merchants that participate in BBB programs to promote consumer confidence on the Internet.

Consumer Federation of America
http://www.consumerfed.org
Since 1968, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has provided consumers a well-reasoned and articulate voice in decisions that affect their lives. Day in and out, CFA's professional staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates information to the public, legislators, and regulators.

CFA is first and foremost an advocacy organization, working to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, and the courts. Its staff works with public officials to promote beneficial policies, to oppose harmful policies, and to ensure a balanced debate on important issues in which consumers have
a stake.

CFA is also an educational organization, disseminating information on consumer issues to the public and the media, as well as to policy makers and other public interest advocates. Conferences, reports, books, brochures, news releases, a newsletter, and a web-site all contribute to CFA's education program.

Finally, CFA is a membership organization, providing support to national, state, and local organizations committed to the goals of consumer advocacy and education. Most member organizations are consumer advocacy and education groups -- national, state, or local -- or consumer cooperatives -- credit unions, rural electrics, housing co-ops, and other member-owned service organizations.


Federal Citizen Information Center
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
The 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, that’s (1-800-333-4636) 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
http://www.fcc.gov/
Whether you're listening to the radio, watching TV, talking on the phone, or using your pager -- you're involved in communications. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working to make sure the nation's communications systems are working seamlessly and competitively in your best interest.

The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as a U.S. Government agency independent of the Executive Branch and directly responsible to Congress. The FCC regulates television, radio, wire, satellite and cable in all of the 50 states and U.S. territories.

The FCC publishes fact sheets and brochures on a wide-range of telecommunications and broadcast issues. This information is also available, on request, in accessible formats such as Braille or large print. For a complete list of our publications go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/. Consumers who have questions or need assistance in filing a complaint may contact our Consumer Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice; or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; or email us at www.fccinfo@fcc.gov.


Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission 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 you need 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, call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD (202) 326-2502, or write for Best Sellers, Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

Consumer 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
http://www.naag.org
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) counts among its members the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the chief legal officers of the District of Columbia, 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 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 Assocation of Consumer Agency Administrators
http://www.nacaanet.org
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
http://www.nclnet.org
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's oldest nonprofit consumer organization. Dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace and the marketplace, NCL's three-pronged approach of research, education and advocacy has made it an effective representative and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL offers educational materials on a wide variety of subjects, including child labor, credit, electronic commerce, food and drug safety, protecting the environment, and telecommunications. NCL also operates the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch programs, which provide advice about telemarketing and Internet fraud and relay information from consumers about suspected telemarketing and Internet fraud to law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
http://www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect/
Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the United States Postal Inspection Service 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.

U.S. Postal Service
http://www.usps.gov
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the U.S. Government. Created in 1775 as the Post Office Department, with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General, it is the second oldest department of the United States of America. Handling 650 million pieces of mail a day, the Postal Service provides mail service in the United States to virtually everyone, everywhere, everyday, with regular service six days a week and Express Mail service on Sunday. USPS also serves 7 million retail customers a day through a retail network of more than 38,000 post offices.