| A department of the Federal Trade Commission is | | | | The text of these laws can be found on the Federal |
| the Bureau of Consumer Protection, and its "mandate | | | | Trade Commission's website |
| is to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or | | | | The Division of Marketing Practices: Enforces federal |
| fraudulent practices." There are six division of the | | | | consumer protection laws by filing legal actions to |
| Bureau of Consumer Protection as follows: | | | | stop scams and help victims of scams |
| Division of Advertising Practices: Consumers are | | | | The Division of Planning and Information: Measures |
| protected from deceptive or unsubstantiated | | | | the impact of FTC activities to protect consumers, |
| advertising. The focus is on advertising of the | | | | including the Identity Theft Program. |
| following products: tobacco and alcohol, food and | | | | The Office of Consumer and Business Education: |
| over-the-counter drugs, energy-related products, | | | | Establishes public education programs for consumers |
| environmental products, and infomercials. | | | | and industry about fraud, deception, and unfair |
| Division of Enforcement: Consumers are protected by | | | | practices using print, broadcast, and electronic media. |
| enforcing compliance with court orders in consumer | | | | It would be prudent for you or your attorney to visit |
| protection cases, investigating and prosecuting civil | | | | the FTC's website, read the regulations, and set up |
| actions to stop fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive | | | | systems to be sure you are in and stay in |
| marketing and advertising practices, and enforcing | | | | compliance. If the FTC determines that you are |
| consumer protection laws. | | | | violating any of its regulations, it has the authority to |
| The Division of Financial Practices: Many consumer | | | | seize your assets pending investigation. If the FTC |
| credit statutes are enforced including the Consumer | | | | gets a court judgment against you, the fines are |
| Leasing Act, the Credit Practices Rule, the Equal | | | | significant and the FTC could shut down your |
| Credit Opportunity Act, and the Fair Credit Billing Act. | | | | business. |