Consumer Protection Week Highlights Financial Security and Product Safety

February 22, 2008, With National Consumer Protection Week being observed March 2-8, now is a good time for savvy consumers to make sure they are taking steps to protect their finances, their privacy and their families.

The Internet has made shopping and keeping up with financial activity easier for consumers, but it has also provided criminals with an opportunity to steal personal information from consumers. Identity theft can wipe out good credit and leave victims with the sometimes difficult task of trying to restore a good name. People need protection from becoming victims of this potentially devastating crime, and that’s why I’ve supported legislation in Congress to provide consumers with the tools they need.

Through the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Tennesseans are able to request free copies of their credit history annually through www.annualcreditreport.com or by placing a toll-free call to 1-877-322-8228. Consumers should take advantage of this opportunity to protect their credit and monitor their reports for any suspicious activities.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act also allows consumers to opt out of receiving pre-screened credit and insurance offers. Identity thieves sometimes obtain personal information from others by stealing pre-screened offers from mailboxes or trash cans. The free opt-out service can help reduce the number of mailers people receive, and it is available at www.optoutprescreen.com or by calling 1-888-5-Opt-Out (1-888-567-8688).

Last fall, the House of Representatives passed legislation to extend the National Do-No-Call-Registry so that consumers’ names don’t expire from the list. This extension makes it even easier for consumers to protect themselves from unwanted telemarketing calls.

To place your number on the national Do Not Call list, visit www.donotcall.gov or call the registry toll-free at 1-888-382-1222. To register for Tennessee’s Do Not Call list, contact the Tennessee Regulatory Authority at www.state.tn.us/tra or call 1-877-872-7030 toll free.

Consumer protection is more than protection against financial fraud, identity theft and invasion of privacy. It’s also about protecting our families from unsafe products. Last year’s reports of lead in toys were of great concern to me and countless other parents of young children.