Consumer Protection
In America, consumers have rights that are protected by law. Consumer protection is extensive, but includes the following broad segments:- Unfair and deceptive business practices
- Unfair lending practices
- Unfair debt collection practices
- Fraudulent telemarketers
- Dangerous products
- Incorrect point-of-sale equipment
- Airline safety
- Fair packaging and labeling
- Dangerous food
- Deceptive advertising
- Identity theft
Consumer Protection and the Government
Consumer protection includes the benefits of product recalls and alerts. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides such information on the Internet, along with consumer fact sheets. In addition, the agency provides state and federal hotlines as well as online forms for consumers to register complaints about defective products.
The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for consumer protection in unfair and deceptive practices as well as Internet transactions (including risks of phishing and spyware), identity theft, and other risks. Fraudulent telemarketers increasingly fall into this category, making unauthorized charges or withdrawals from a consumer’s account. The FTC also governs the Identity Theft Assumption and Deterrence Act of 1998 and the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from debt collectors calling and harassing them at work, being abusive, and making misleading statements.
The Truth in Lending Act (Title I of the Consumer Credit Protection Act) requires creditors to make written disclosures to consumers regarding finance charges and other related aspects of transactions for credit. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act provides consumer protection from discrimination and civil rights violations.
The Credit Repair Organizations Act protects consumers from making misleading statements and requires certain disclosures when companies offer "credit repair" services.
Tenant rights and responsibilities are governed by state laws. State laws also include “lemon laws” that protect consumers buying defective new automobiles.
The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act governs the contents of labels on food, medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics.
The Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Federal Aviation Administration governs airline safety issues for consumers and operates a complaint-handling system with a toll-free number at the FAA.
Legal Recourse in Consumer Protection
Consumer protection remedies start by a consumer retaining an attorney for representing his or her interests and damage claims in a lawsuit or by a business organization retaining an attorney to defend its liabilities for damages. Dispute resolution programs are also effective in settling many consumer protection matters in a less expensive manner than going to court.
Related Links: |
|
