Consumer Protection Legislation

This presentation provides an overview of consumer protection legislation and the role of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in enforcing consumer rights. It covers various topics such as credit discrimination, housing discrimination, product safety, warranty issues, and more. The presentation also highlights the importance of understanding the proper procedure and seeking legal assistance when dealing with consumer-related problems.

Consumer Protection
Legislation
Introduction:
n 1914, the U.S. Congress passed legislation creating the FTC, primarily in an
effort to combat trusts and anti-competitive business practices. While the
agency continues that effort, its role has since been expanded to cover a variety
of consumer rights issues. The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is tasked
with enforcing federal laws dealing with unfair or deceptive practices
throughout the consumer economy. For instance, the bureau has taken an
important step to curb telemarketing fraud through the creation of the National
Do Not Call Registry. This popular service allows people to bar for-profit
organizations from making unsolicited calls to their home telephones.
Main Text
Credit discrimination The Equal Credit Opportunity Act forbids a lender from refusing credit due to
characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, sex, age, or the receipt of public aid.
Housing discrimination. The Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments prohibit landlords
from discriminating against potential renters on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, sex,
familial status, or a mental or physical disability.
Unsafe products. The Consumer Product Safety Act protects consumers by regulating potentially
dangerous products, such as toys painted with lead paint.
Unsafe drugs, cosmetics, or medical devices. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits
legitimated fraudulent drug and device manufacturers from selling mislabeled or adulterated products
.Warranty issues. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, manufacturers and sellers must explain
warranty coverage, terms, and exclusions.
Used car disclosures. Compliance with the Used Car Rule requires a dealer to display a “Buyer’s
Guide” in the vehicle window.
Created in 1914, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees a broad range of consumer
marketplace issues ranging from antitrust actions to truth in advertising practices. If you have a
consumer-related problem, you’ll likely find the information that you need on the FTC website. You
can also file a complaint, although it’s unlikely that the FTC will resolve your particular issue through
this forum.
A problem with a loan or financial product, it will be worth visiting the website of the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The federal government formed the CFPB after the 2008
financial crisis to protect people from unfair, deceptive, or abusive financial practices, such as
predatory lending. On the site, you’ll be able to find information about (and report problems
concerning) the following types of financial transactions:
mortgage, auto, student, payday, and personal loans
bank accounts
credit cards
money transfers
credit reports, and
problems with debt collectors.
Conclusion:
A local consumer attorney can also help you get the justice you seek. They’ll advise you as to
whether you can take action directly against the wrongdoer or help you determine whether
you’ll need to file an agency complaint first.
Understanding the proper procedure might be more important than you realize. While state
laws might afford you recourse, if you must proceed under a regulation (law drafted by a
federal or state agency), you might have to file a complaint in that forum before filing a
lawsuit.
This requirement is called “exhausting your administrative remedies,” and if you skip this
step, the judge will throw out your case and direct you back to the agency. You only have so
much time to pursue your matter with the agency and to appeal the action by filing a lawsuit.
If the allotted time passes (known as the statute of limitations) before you file the lawsuit,
you’ll lose your right to proceed with the case.