(Washington, DC) 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 10th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 2-8, 2008. NCPW highlights consumer-education efforts in the fight against fraud in communities across the nation. NCPW 2008’s organizers encourage people from coast to coast to fortify their financial know-how. Financially savvy consumers are likely to make smarter decisions about managing their money, using credit wisely and building a solid financial foundation.
“DISB is proud to be a part of this year’s National Consumer Protection Week campaign, along with our local consumer organizations,” said DISB Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton. “Education is the first line of defense for consumers who want to manage their money wisely and protect themselves from frauds and rip-offs. We encourage all consumers to take advantage of the resources that NCPW features to help them master the financial facts of life. Consumers may also contact DISB if they have any additional questions about financial services companies or agents.”
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers conduct some type of financial transaction requiring an educated decision every day: shopping for a mortgage or auto loan; understanding and reconciling credit card statements and telephone bills; choosing savings and retirement plans; comparing health insurance policies; understanding their credit report and how it affects their ability to get credit and on what terms; and simply deciding how to pay for a purchase.
As a NCPW-partner organization, DISB will use the week to launch its 12-page booklets on Insure U on its website. Insure U is a national consumer education program created by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which teaches consumers how to get smart about insurance using their various stages in life. The booklets will provide practical—and tactical—tips so consumers can learn how to make well-informed financial decisions, avoid scams and protect their personal information. Consumers can boost their financial IQ at consumer.gov/ncpw.
National organizers of this year’s NCPW are the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Citizen’s Information Center, the US Postal Service, the US Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency, the US Department of the Treasury, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, AARP, the Better Business Bureau, Call for Action, the Consumer Federation of America, and the National Association of Attorneys General.