Consumer Protection Basics, Plain and Simple New Resources from the Federal 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 consumer.ftc.gov – ftc.gov/subscribe – follow FTC blogs, newsletters, all the latest news on scams and frauds ftc.gov/subscribe – bulkorder.ftc.gov – order free copies in bulk bulkorder.ftc.gov – Admongo.gov – critical thinking/ad literacy for kids Admongo.gov – OnGuardOnline.gov – online safety made easy OnGuardOnline.gov

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

Consumer Protection Basics, Plain and Simple Jennifer Leach