FOR THE CONSUMER
The FTC's monthly newsletter for the Congressional community
It's the news you—and your constituents—can use.
Volume 3– Number 6
September 2004
IN THIS ISSUE
News Flash
Upcoming Events
Revised Business Education
Tip of the Month - Know Your Security Software
Numbers to Know - Resources
NEWS FLASH
PENALTIES - NEARLY $1.5 MILLION. Sprint will pay $1.125 million and AT&T will pay $365,000 to settle FTC charges. Allegedly, Sprint used consumers' credit reports to deny telephone service and both companies restricted consumers' service without telling them that they have the right to get a free copy of their own credit report and to dispute any errors, as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Press release: www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/sprintatt.shtm
OJO. The FTC has launched a consumer fraud awareness campaign, targeted to Spanish-speaking consumers.
Press release: www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/scampaign.shtm
Ojo website: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/ojo/s-index.shtm
DID YOU NOTICE? SEEKING COMMENTS. The FTC seeks comments on its proposed regulation to improve notices informing consumers of their right to opt out of prescreened offers of credit or insurance. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA) directs the FTC to determine the format, manner, and type size of the notices so they're “simple and easy to understand.” Comments are due on or before October 28, 2004.
Press release: www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/prescreen.shtm
NOT SO FLEX-IBLE. The FTC has settled its deceptive advertising charges against the marketers of BodyFlex system. The settlement would establish a $2.6 million consumer refund program and would prohibit the promoters from claiming that consumers would lose from four to 14 inches in the first seven days of using the system. BodyFlex is an 18-minute routine involving stretching, deep breathing, and exercises with the BodyFlex Gym Bar -- a plastic exercise bar with a resistance band.
Press release: www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/bodyflex.shtm
UPCOMING EVENTS
EMAIL AUTHENTICATION. The FTC and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will co-host a two-day Email Authentication Summit to explore technologies that could reduce spam. The Summit, which is free and open to the public, will be held November 9-10 at the FTC's Conference Center, 601 New Jersey Ave., NW, Washington, DC. Press release: www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/emailauth.shtm
REVISED BUSINESS EDUCATION
A DEALER'S GUIDE TO THE USED CAR RULE. Booklet to educate industry about compliance requirements, explaining how to prepare and display the Buyers Guide.
TIP OF THE MONTH -Know Your Security Software
Today your online security faces a variety of threats -- and many products to protect against them. The FTC says that computer users -- from kids to grandparents -- need to know why they need security products and what they're getting.
Intrusion detection systems alert you that someone is trying get into your computer without permission. But they can't prevent the break-in.
Firewalls block access to your computer -- like a wall between your computer and the Internet. But they might not protect you from a virus that infects your computer through an email.
Anti-virus software detects and deletes viruses on your computer.
For more information: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt140.shtm
TIP OF THE MONTH - Know Your Security Software
Today your online security faces a variety of threats -- and many products to protect against them. The FTC says that computer users -- from kids to grandparents -- need to know why they need security products and what they're getting.
- Intrusion detection systems alert you that someone is trying get into your computer without permission. But they can't prevent the break-in.
- Firewalls block access to your computer -- like a wall between your computer and the Internet. But they might not protect you from a virus that infects your computer through an email.
- Anti-virus software detects and deletes viruses on your computer.
For more information: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt140.shtm
NUMBERS TO KNOW
FTC'S OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS: 202-326-2195.
Check out the CONGRESSIONAL RESOURCES portion of our Web site at www.ftc.gov/ftc/congress.shtm No password needed to access.
To order free FTC consumer information, email fortheconsumer@ftc.gov with your name, Member or Committee affiliation, and mailing address.
To file a fraud complaint, go to www.ftc.gov or call FTC's toll-free line 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this newsletter:
Send email to fortheconsumer@ftc.gov with your name, Member or Committee affiliation, email address, and the word "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.