Joe Consumer 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 partner organizations will provide practical – and tactical – tips so consumers can learn how to make well-informed financial decisions, avoid credit scams, and protect their personal information. Since that is pretty much our mission all year, we are pretty excited! So in honor of NCPW we thought it would be a good time to feature some of our government’s best consumer resources. If you like these links, become a friend on StumbleUpon and you’ll see more links like these and other consumer resources than don’t make the blog.

• Consumer.Gov
  Your one-stop shop for shoppers, with information on finding careers, transportation, as well as food safety.
• Consumer Action Handbook (consumeraction.gov)
  Concrete information on what to do to protect yourself. Additionally there are “hot off the press” handbooks and daily tips, this site makes it easy for you to take action as a consumer. Also a wealth of information for those with special circumstances (military, handicapped) as well as the steps to effectively filing a complaint.
• eConsumer.gov
  It is not uncommon to have a complaint or inquiry about a business; and as a consumer, it sometimes feels like there is nothing to do about it. This is the spot to file a complaint with the federal government. This site is a joint project site with 21 countries contributing to the efforts of making the consumer experience easier.
• International eConsumer Complaint Form
  This form is specifically for complaints about international companies.These complaints are filed in a government database, accessible by the contributing countries where they work to find solutions to the various problems. Typically, this site is focused on those complaints that result from foreign online transactions, fraud, etc. After all, how many foreign lotteries could you possibly win in a day?
• The Federal Trade Commission
  The Federal Trade Commission’s goal is to protect you as the consumer. With news stories, tips, and complaint forms, you have easy access to any type of information and help that you need. Whether you were a victim of fraud, want to file a complaint, or are interested in learning the latest stories of fraud cases, this site is your best resource.
• FTC Consumer General Complaint Form
  It is important not to forget about the complaint that people get about a particular business or media violence. With these complaints, this site provides the form that is sent to the FTC to be investigated. Unlike the other complaint forms, this site is provided for more general responses and complaints.
• FTC’s Guide to Pretexting
  You may have been a victim of fraud long before you the time that you see the activity show up. This type of fraud is known as pretexting. Pretexters will call, email, or mail you a request asking for certain personal information. They will use that information as if they were you, and get money or whatever they need. With the help provided on this site, you can avoid all of that by informing your self of the warning signs and what to avoid so that your identity or money is not stolen.
• FTC’s Fraud Survey
  Annually the FTC prepares an overview of the most common fraud issues. Read all of the latest news about fraud, the frequent fraud victims, and how to prevent it.
• Deter, Detect, Defend Your Identity
  Identity theft is increasingly common, learn how to fight back and defend your identity. If your identity has already been stolen, learn how to recover quickly. Including information on talking to bank representatives and clearing your credit cards.
• FTC’s Credit Reporting Guide
  Learn about your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• FTC’s guide to saving money at home
  The FTC is not only a resource for you to react to fraud and theft. The also offer a guide to save money by conserving energy and recycling at home.
• USA.gov - Consumer Information
  This is you’re A-Z index of sites, resources, contacts, and everything you could possibly think of concerning consumerism and consumer protection. From national to local government and defense to agriculture.
• The Federal Citizens Information Center (Pueblo, CO)
  A guide to government publication focusing on consumer and personal finance information.

Spend some time this week to share this site with others and spread the message of consumer awareness. If you have a favorite resource we missed please leave a comment.

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