December 2000

 

FTC Website -- A Pleasant Surprise
Jamie H. Thompson, thompsonja@missouri.edu

Publication order forms from various agencies cross my desk almost weekly. Very often, I do order copies to have on hand for visitors to our office and my programs. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) order information sat on my desk for about two weeks before I made the time to look it over. Four pages of titles! And then I saw…We’re also on the Internet! Several hours later I forced myself to exit out of their website and start writing my Thriving article.

Before I go any further here is their web address: www.ftc.gov

I recommend that everyone spend the time exploring the FTC website (set aside at least one hour). If you don’t have a computer at home or are not online, please go to your local library or extension office. Most local libraries and extension offices have public access computers and will help you to become comfortable "browsing the web".

Once I entered the FTC website, I immediately went to their publications page. Nineteen different topics to choose from…advertising to tobacco. Where to start?

A concern of most of us today is Identity Theft. This publication discussed ways that identity thieves work: (a) they open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number; (b) they call your credit care issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your account; (c) they establish cellular phone service in your name; or (d) they open a bank account in your name and write bad checks. From this page you can also link to other pages; "Private Policy", "If You’re a Victim", "FTC Workshop Victims Assistance" are among a few.

My appetite wetted, I proceeded on to Seniors’ Issues. Of the multitude of publications, "Making Sense of Long-Distance Advertising" looked very interesting. This publication helps you to understand what the ads are really saying. Five points are discussed: price, restrictions, comparative claims, fine print, and your monthly bills.

Another publication that I could not pass by was "Guide to Online Payments". So many of us shop online and in some cases, invest and bank online. How safe are we? "Although you can’t control fraud or deception on the Internet, you can take steps to recognize it, avoid it, and report it." The publication goes on to identify how we can protect ourselves.

I could not resist browsing Children’s Issues. Being the Consumer and Family Economist that I am, I immediately went to Kidz Privacy. There are five links: "Just for Kidz", "Adults Only", "Media, Resources", and "Business Buzz". I spent my time in "Just for Kidz". The graphics are bright and colorful. The publication talks to children about the law concerning websites. Nine points are highlighted about web surfing, privacy, and personal information. There were also four audio segments where children could listen.

After spending the afternoon exploring the Federal Trade Commission website, I realized that I had taken the Commission for granted and did not fully understand who they were and what they did. So, on to their Vision, Mission, and Goals page.

"The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. The Commission seeks to ensure that the nation’s markets function competitively, and are vigorous, efficient, and free of undue restrictions." "In general, the Commission’s efforts are directed toward stopping actions that threaten consumers’ opportunities to exercise informed choice." "In addition to carrying out its statutory enforcement responsibilities, the Commission advances the policies underlying Congressional mandates through cost-effective non-enforcement activities, such as consumer education."

The World Wide Web…what a wonderful educational resource.

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