501 (c)(3) non-profit Organization
By Sam Craine on Mar 9th, 2010
Though consumers should always concentrate on keeping themselves educated regarding their finances, this week hopes to highlight those habits even more.
National Consumer Protection Week is being celebrated this week in an effort to illustrate the different ways consumers can protect themselves, whether it be managing their debt or avoiding identity theft. This year's theme for NCPW is Dollars & Sense: Rated "A" for All Ages, which has the goal of encouraging people to keep tabs on their consumer rights at all stages of their lives.
A number of organizations are partnering during the week in order to provide free information to consumers. Some of those groups include the AARP, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the Better Business Bureau.
The week also has a website (www.consumer.gov/ncpw) that provides consumers with links to information. That includes an overview of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, which protects consumers against abuses in the credit card industry.
The act also requires that card companies issue a phone number with billing statements that will connect their customers with a consumer credit counseling agency. Through dialing the number, consumers will be connected with one of these organizations, which can help people deal with their outstanding debts.