Countdown to National Consumer Protection Week 2011 Begins; Website and Blog Launched

The Federal Trade Commission has launched the website and blog for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2011, to be held March 6-12. The annual event, now in its 13th year, is hosted by the FTC and nearly 30 other government agencies, consumer groups, and national organizations. The website, www.ncpw.gov, provides information about consumer rights, and promotes free resources to help consumers protect their privacy, manage credit and debt, avoid identity theft, understand mortgages, and recognize frauds and scams.

Consumer experts will provide blog posts on a wide variety of subjects. The Consumer Topics section of the website has print and video resources to read, view, download, print, copy, and share.

Government agencies and organizations planning an event for National Consumer Protection Week should visit the site at www.ncpw.gov and send an email (ncpw(at)ftc.gov) including the date, time, location, and concise details.

Learn more about the government agencies, consumer groups, and national participating organizations on the About Us section of the website.

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

(FYI NCPW)