Consumer Protection

General Information

The Federal Trade Commission offers general information on a number of topics through the Bureau of Consumer Protection. You can find information about buying a car, obtaining credit and loans, health scams, and more.

The Federal government also provides an alphabetical list of consumer protection resources here.

How do I sign up for the Do Not Call Registry?

The Do Not Call Registry allows you to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. Telemarketers covered by the registry cannot call registered phone numbers. You can find out more information about the registry here.

Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry

How do I report phone fraud?

Phone fraud and violations of the Do Not Call registry are policed by the Federal Trade Commission. You can get tips on recognizing phone fraud here. To report phone fraud, call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit the FTC website.

If you have been on the Do Not Call registry for 31 days and continue to receive telemarketing calls, you can report the calls here. Please note the date you received the call and either the name or the telephone number of the company that called you.

How do I stop spam e-mail?

Spam e-mail is a nuisance and can contain viruses that are dangerous to your computer. OnGuard Online provides tips from the federal government and the technology industry to protect your computer and your personal information. The Federal Trade Commission provides additional help for consumers on its Spam website.

You can find more information and up-to-date consumer alerts on spam here.

How can I get a free credit report?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once a year.

You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form [PDF] and mailing it to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

IMPORTANT: annualcreditreport.com is the ONLY free credit report site that is authorized by the government. Other websites claim to offer reports for free, but require that you purchase other products.

How can I prevent identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information without your permission to commit fraud and other crimes. As many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

It is possible to minimize your risk by protecting your personal information.

  • Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on your checks, and give out your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Whenever possible, ask to use another type of identifier.
  • Shred documents with identifying information, like credit applications, insurance forms, bank statements, credit card offers, and receipts before you throw them away. You can opt out of receiving pre-screened credit offers in the mail by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). Take outgoing mail with personally-identifying information, like bills, to the post office rather than leaving them in an unsecured mailbox.
  • Avoid internet scams by visiting OnGuard Online.
  • Use intricate passwords for your online accounts. Avoid using easily available information like you mother’s maiden name, your birth date, part of your Social Security number, or a single word that appears in the dictionary. Instead, combine letters, numbers, and special characters to make strong passwords.
  • Do not give out personal information unless you know who you are dealing with. Search online to verify that organizations are legitimate. If you receive a call from a bank or company that asks for account information, ask if you can call them back at the customer service number listed on your account statement or in the phone book.
  • Store information in secure locations at home and keep your purse or wallet secure at work. Ask about security information at your workplace or at businesses, doctor’s offices, and other institutions that collect your personal information.
  • Regularly monitor your financial statements and credit reports for inaccurate information or suspicious activity, like charges for merchandise or services you did not purchase.

What are the signs of identity theft?

  • Accounts you didn’t open and debts on your accounts that you cannot explain
  • Fraudulent or inaccurate information on your credit reports
  • Failing to receive bills or other mail. Follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time.
  • Receiving credit cards when you didn’t apply
  • Being denied credit or being offered less favorable terms for no apparent reason
  • Getting calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.

What do I do if my information has been stolen?

Recovering from identity theft can be a difficult process. You can find the step-by-step process to file police reports, notify the Federal Trade Commission, and resolve disputes with companies and credit reporting agencies here.

Remember to keep detailed records of your correspondence to protect you in the future.

Where can I find more resources about identity theft?