Consumer Protection

How Does Government Protect Consumers

• Through Legislation:– Consumer laws are a form of government regulation which protects the interest of individual

consumers. The basic legal rights that an individual has when buying goods or services apply to any purchase made in a store, street market, mail order catalogue, or seemingly any retail outlet.

– Federal law states that all goods purchased must represent a satisfactory quality or meet the standards that a reasonable consumer regards as acceptable in a comparative viewpoint to the good’s description, the good's price, and any other relevant circumstance.

– Consumer laws also state that the underlying good must fit a particular purpose, including any particular service that is mentioned to the consumer by the seller. These laws cover the good's appearance, safety, and durability. The good purchased, according to consumer laws, must meet the advertised description in which the good is marketed or packaged. -

• In the United States a variety of laws at both the federal and state levels regulate consumer affairs. Among them are the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth in Lending Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

• Federal consumer protection laws are mainly enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

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What Fraudulent Practices Do Consumers Need to Protect Themselves From?

• False Advertising • ID Theft• Disclosure of Personal Information• Ponzi Scheme• Pyramid Schemes• Online Schemes

How to Protect Yourself• Be informed• Check and modify setting to maintain security of personal

information• Purchases Consumer Protection Services• Join no-call/solicitation lists• Do not give out personal information• Ensure any business you make transaction with is reputable and

legitimate.• If an investment or business proposal sounds too good to be true

it probably is.• Do your own research and do not solely rely on others

Use Websites

• North American Securities Administration Association - http://www.nasaa.org/investor_education/Investor_Alerts___Tips/

• Investor Education Resourceshttp://www.secretary.state.nc.us/sec/invedu.aspx

• FBI-Common Fraud Schemes - www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud

• • Internet Crime Complaint Center - http://www.ic3.gov/crimeschemes.aspx