The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) has joined a group of federal, state and local government agencies and national consumer advocacy organizations to launch the ninth annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), February 4-10, 2007.  NCPW highlights consumer-education efforts in the fight against fraud in communities across the nation. DISB uses this week to encourage more consumers to take advantage of its free consumer-education programs such as Insure U, Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing and Investor Education@your library.  Information on these programs may be found on DISB’s website.  
     
“Consumer protection is at the core of our work,” said DISB Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton. “Consumers are our most effective partners in this public awareness campaign. We encourage everyone to read up and reach out, learn how to deter fraud and deception in the marketplace and tell others.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumer information can help people recognize a rip-off, smell a scam or find a fraud. Fraudulent promotions seek to exploit people’s financial fantasies, needs and optimism. However, informed consumers are better able to see through the deceptions, whether they take the form of questionable claims in an ad, offers in the mail or e-mail, or schemes that sound like sure-fire successes. By gathering and sharing information, consumers can be more confident, savvy and safe in the marketplace. Consumers can read up and boost their marketplace IQ at www.consumer.gov/ncpw.