Dear Readers,

We read the newspapers everyday about the disparities in life—the gaps in income, credit, wealth, access to care and health coverage. That is why the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) has used several months throughout 2007 to highlight these issues and offer information to empower consumers. For each of these months, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty demonstrated the District’s support of these issues through mayoral proclamations.

1. February—National Consumer Protection Week. DISB joined federal, state and local government agencies and national consumer organizations in launching the annual week,  February 4-10, which highlighted nationwide consumer-education efforts in the fight against fraud. During the week, DISB encouraged consumers to use its free consumer-education programs.

2. April—Financial Literacy Month. DISB worked with nonprofits to launch DCSaves, a program focusing on wealth building, cutting debt and saving before spending. Through a series of money-saving seminars, we addressed different types of savings. It was extended until the end of the year into the First-Wednesdays seminars then Last-Thursdays seminars @yourlibrary, where consumers received once-a-month seminars on financial-education topics such as credit, mortgages, tax tips, life and health insurance.

3. July—Fraud Awareness Week. July 22 to 28 was set aside for fraud awareness where each day we issued daily newsletters on fraud affecting vulnerable people—seniors, working families and immigrants. DISB co-hosted an anti-fraud seminar for seniors, with the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board. The agencies provided information to more than 100 seniors on consumer, financial and lottery fraud, and tools for protecting themselves.

4. September—Life Insurance Awareness Month. DISB issued weekly consumer alerts on understanding insurance policies, knowing about fixed deferred annuities, viaticals and questions about insurance. DISB also gave insurance tips to seniors at the District’s annual ElderFest celebration and hosted its second annual Insurance Open House for insurance compliance professionals in the District of Columbia.

5. November—Health Insurance Awareness Month. For the first time, DISB put aside November for health insurance as it is the open enrollment period for many employees, and many are considering changes in their benefits. During this month, we issued weekly newsletters based on one’s life stage; worked with the DC Department of Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer in launching a website on health coverage (healthinsurance.dc.gov), and co-hosted a forum on universal health coverage in the District.
 
These theme months help further DISB’s goals in reaching out to more District consumers. They highlight our consumer-education efforts, as well as provide several avenues for knowledge and information. When consumers are knowledgeable, they can be more responsive, confident and wise in making financial decisions. 
 
In DISB’s consumer edition, Dispatch, read about the change in the payday lending law in the District, and how it might affect you; a new IRS website offering tax relief to homeowners; some of our upcoming events; a survey on rental car insurance; and a whole lot more.
 
As always, we hope you will find something in our newsletter pages that keeps you coming back for more. Happy Holidays. We wish you a financially aware New Year.

Happy Reading!!
DISB Office of Communication and Public Affairs