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04/08/2011 Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
WHAT WE DO:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a small agency with a big mission: it prevents fraud, deception and unfair business practices in many sectors of the economy. The FTC deals with issues that affect the lives of most Americans: for example, the agency enforces laws related to debt collection and credit reporting, telemarketing, identity protection and privacy, energy labeling, online safety, and franchises and business opportunities, to name just a few.
The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection integrates law enforcement and education. Virtually every law enforcement action has an education component. That helps consumers learn how to recognize, avoid and report a similar experience, and helps businesses learn how easy it is to comply with the law.
WHAT WE OFFER:
The agency’s Division of Consumer and Business Education produces the information that helps people understand their rights and helps businesses understand their responsibilities. Its goal is to produce practical, objective and actionable information – in English and Spanish – that is available for free to any person or organization that wants it. The information is geared to the general public and targeted audiences – in short, anyone who is trying to be financially responsible, energy efficient and well-informed, as well as anyone who is trying to juggle student loans, credit cards, car loans or leases, mortgages and family matters.
The FTC features its information at ftc.gov, where you can find publications, video, interactive games and audio content; in the media through interviews and reports in newspapers and magazines and on radio and television; and through partnerships with non-profits, advocacy organizations, other government agencies at all levels, and industry groups.
In Fiscal Year 2010, the agency distributed more than 17 million English and Spanish publications, and recorded more than 26 million accesses of consumer and business information on ftc.gov.
Specific initiatives involve:
ftc.gov/YouAreHere, a site for middle school kids that allows them to experience the mission of the FTC rather than just read about it. By visiting a virtual mall at YouAreHere, kids can learn to be smarter consumers. By playing games, they learn how to protect their privacy, how to spot and avoid frauds and scams, how advertising affects them, and how they benefit when businesses compete.
Admongo.gov, where kids can learn critical thinking skills and apply them to understanding advertising, asking three essential questions: Who's responsible for the ad? What is the ad actually saying? and What does the ad want me to do? Find free resources for teachers at Admongo.gov, and get free lesson plans, bookmarks, and flyers for teachers at http://bulkorder.ftc.gov.
OnGuardOnline.gov, a site produced by the FTC with the technology industry, that features interactive content on a wide range of cybersecurity issues (for example, phishing, laptop security, P2P filesharing, social networking sites).
OnGuardOnline.gov, a site produced by the FTC with the technology industry, that features interactive content on a wide range of cybersecurity issues (for example, phishing, laptop security, P2P filesharing, social networking sites).
ftc.gov/MoneyMatters, which offers short practical tips, videos, and links to reliable sources on topics like credit repair, debt collection, job-hunting and job scams, vehicle repossession, managing mortgage payments and foreclosure rescue scams.
ftc.gov/idtheft, one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft, including detailed information to help people deter, detect, and defend against it.
YouTube.com/FTCvideos, our YouTube channel that features 15-second to 10-minute videos on a variety of subjects, including identity theft, phishing, debt collection, and free annual credit reports.
We would be very happy to share information, write blog posts, and supply video. Our ecards and “teaser sites” (sites that mimic fraudulent sites to reach people at the “teachable moment”) are an example of our commitment to creativity.
WHAT WE NEED:
Partnering helps the agency leverage limited resources – and helps get important information directly into the hands of people who need it. We put all our information – including our videos, publications, and bookmarks – “up for grabs,” and invite organizations, media outlets, bloggers, and individuals to use it, distribute it, and link to it. It’s free and in the public domain. That is, there’s no copyright on the information: you can even put your organization’s name on it. It’s a cost-effective way to disseminate information and helps make sure that people are getting consistent messages about all-important consumer topics.
WHAT'S NEW:
FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Complaints in 2010; Identity Theft Tops the List Again
FTC Newsletters Subscription Service
FTC Chairman Issues Commission’s 2011 Annual Report
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Colleen P. Tressler
Senior Project Manager
Division of Consumer and Business Education
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Mail Drop NJ-2267
Washington, DC 20580
202-326-2368; fax: 202-326-3574
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Penn Corner – a monthly email that highlights the work the FTC is doing to protect consumers through enforcement and education. Subscribe at ftc.gov/subscribe
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