Consumer Protection Basics, Plain and Simple

New Resources from theFederal Trade Commission

Jennifer Leach, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

October 22, 2013

Who is the FTC?

• Small, independent agency of 1,100 people– Lawyers, investigators, economists, educators– Offices in DC, New York, Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago,

Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle

• Protecting America’s consumers– Litigation, regulation, education

Consumer education at the FTC

• Educate consumers about their rights; educate businesses about their responsibilities– Plain language– Practical and actionable advice– Value-neutral

• Our normal audience: all consumers

Consumer education at the FTC

• All FTC resources are free and in the public domain• Find FTC resources here:– consumer.ftc.gov – 200+ articles on consumer protection– ftc.gov/subscribe – follow FTC blogs, newsletters, all the

latest news on scams and frauds– bulkorder.ftc.gov – order free copies in bulk– Admongo.gov – critical thinking/ad literacy for kids– OnGuardOnline.gov – online safety made easy

A different way of thinking

• FTC’s Legal Services Collaboration– New audiences– Different needs– New educational approach

A different way of thinking

• Input from:– Legal services– Non-profits– Teachers, especially TESOL teachers

• Identified issues• Helped define the approach and audience

A different way of thinking

• Training in:– Rethinking the message– Writing– Design

• Question: Not what we need to say, but what the audience needs to know.

How to use consumer.gov

• Link to it• Use the text in your site, newsletters• Print and distribute• Order free printed materials

Your feedback

• Let us know how it’s working!– Suggestions for new topics– Ideas for more handouts or presentations

jleach@ftc.gov

Consumer Protection Basics, Plain and Simple

Jennifer Leachjleach@ftc.gov202.326.3203