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Week Ending February 9, 2006

H.RES.94 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Consumer Protection Week.

“Informed Consumers are better equipped to see through frauds and deceptions. Whether they take the form of questionable claims in and advertisement, offers that come in the mail or e-mail, or schemes designed to appear to be risk-free”, the preamble begins and continues to point out the numerous Federal resources to help consumers protect themselves.

The Federal Trade Commission and more than 100 Federal agencies have built a website 111.consumer.gov to provide helpful information from credit ratings to home buying.

The FTC educates on identity theft protection, how to make well informed decisions, avoid scams, protect their personal information., and how to file a complaint on line.

And so we have the 9^th annual National Consumer Protection Week to remind us of that resource and the need for it

Sponsor:  Rep. Ruben Hinjosa (D-TX-15^th)

Vote: Passed House 398 to 0 Feb. 5, 2007 (RC 74)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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MORE INFORMATION

Whereas informed consumers are better equipped to see through frauds and deceptions, whether they take the form of questionable claims in an advertisement, offers that come in the mail or e-mail, or schemes designed to appear to be risk-free;

Whereas the Federal Government provides many educational resources and programs to help people protect themselves against fraud by supplying them with information about their options in the marketplace;

Whereas the Federal Trade Commission and more than 100 other Federal agencies have collaborated on a website, www.consumer.gov, which provides helpful information ranging from how credit ratings work to how to buy a new home;

Whereas the Federal Trade Commission has prepared a collection of easy-to-use materials to enable anyone, regardless of their existing knowledge about identity theft, to learn about and inform others about how to protect themselves against this serious crime;

Whereas consumers can find practical tips from National Consumer Protection Week partner organizations about how to make well-informed purchase decisions, avoid scams, protect their personal information, and file a complaint online at www.consumer.gov/ncpw;

Whereas, by gathering and sharing information, consumers and their friends and families can be more confident, savvy, and safe in the marketplace;

Whereas expanding access to information about financial services provides individuals with lower-cost and safer options for managing finances and building wealth, and is likely to reduce predatory lending;

Whereas a 2005 report by the Comptroller General entitled `Credit Reporting Literacy' supports educational efforts to increase consumers' understanding of the credit reporting process and suggests that such efforts target those areas in which consumers' knowledge is weakest, including populations with less education, lower incomes, and less experience obtaining credit; and

Whereas public, community-based, and private sector organizations throughout the United States are working to increase financial literacy rates and consumer protection for people of all ages and walks of life through a range of outreach efforts, including media campaigns, websites, and one-on-one counseling for individuals: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) supports the goals and ideals of the Ninth Annual National Consumer Protection Week, including raising public awareness about the importance of consumer protection;

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities with the goal of increasing protection for consumers of all ages and walks of life; and

(3) encourages people across the Nation to take advantage of the wealth of consumer protection information that can enhance confidence in the marketplace.

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