The virtual world is full of real dangers, which is why consumers need to exercise caution online. When dealing with the online world, many questions come to mind, such as: Should you put pictures of your kids online? How do you protect your online identity? How do you respond to “spam” emails? FindLaw`s online fraud resources provide answers to these questions and more. People are getting more robocalls than ever before. Technology is the reason: companies use automatic dialers that can send thousands of phone calls per minute at an incredibly low cost. What is the FTC doing to stop these illegal robocalls? And what can you do to limit the number of robocalls you receive? Find. State and federal laws protect consumers from inappropriate collection activities. The Federal Fair Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) broadly defines a “collection agent” as a person who uses mail or other instruments of interstate commerce to attempt to collect a debt indirectly or indirectly on behalf of others. Its protection is limited to personal, family and household debts and therefore does not include business debts or individual debts incurred for commercial purposes. It sets limits on the times of day that collectors can communicate with consumers and requires them to stop communicating with consumers, except in the case of litigation, when they receive a written request. The FDCPA also provides for a 30-day period during which the consumer may contest the validity of the debt and request a review. The vast and complex U.S.
economy offers perhaps the greatest potential for products and services in history, but with such opportunities comes the risk of fraud, fraud, and outright theft. The principle of caveat emptor or “beware buyers” in modern parlance is still as true as it has been since the dawn of trade. However, in today`s economy, a consumer may be the victim of a seller of goods or services, a bank, a debt collector or any other business that exploits his position for deception or fraud. We have found ways, both in the form of common law and federal and state laws, to protect the rights and interests of consumers. An annual report can be obtained free of charge from credit reference agencies. It contains accounts opened in your name and cheques ordered in your name. However, this is not the same as the free full consumer credit report. This report is a completely separate report that the majority of consumers only learn about after a financial institution has refused to open a current or savings account. Some consumer protection laws require the disclosure of detailed product information, particularly in areas where safety or public health is an issue. For example, legislators have passed a large number of food labelling laws. Nutrition labels on foods are the result of consumer protection laws. In addition, food and drug safety laws have become increasingly common as legislators seek to prevent consumers from being harmed by improperly prepared products.
A trusted source of research and information on the impact of technology on consumers, the Office of Technology Research and Investigation conducts independent studies, evaluates new marketing practices, and provides advice to consumers, businesses, and policymakers. He also assists FTC investigators and lawyers in consumer protection matters by providing technical expertise, investigative support and training. All consumers should learn to do simple things like manage a credit score, read the fine print on a gift card, and understand the importance of choosing a strong email password. It`s also important to know when the law is on your side and when you need to contact a lawyer to help enforce your rights. The security of consumers` personally identifiable information (PII) is essential as a means of protecting against identity theft and other forms of fraud. Many laws govern how certain industries handle and store consumers` personal information. One of the most comprehensive laws is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets national standards for retaining medical records to protect consumers` “protected health information.” The Fair Credit Reporting Act restricts the use of consumers` credit history, such as bill payments and credit history.
