1. MYPF 25.1 Consumer Rights and Laws 25.2 Consumer Agencies
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Consumer Protection
25.1 Consumer Rights and Laws
Consumer Agencies
© 2016 South-Western, Cengage Learning
Chapter 1

2. Lesson 25.1 Consumer Rights and Laws
Learning Objectives
LO 1-1 Describe your rights as set forth in laws passed to protect consumers.
LO 1-2 List protections provided by major federal consumer protection laws.
Chapter 25
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3. *Consumer Bill of Rights
Right to safety
Right to be informed
Right to choose
Right to satisfaction of basic needs
Right to redress
Right to consumer education
Right to a healthy environment
Chapter 25
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4. *Airline Passenger Rights
Confirmed reservations
Refunds
Delays and cancellations
Bumped flights
Extended tarmac delays
Fee disclosures
Chapter 25
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5. Consumer Technology Bill of Rights
Time-shifting
Consumers are time-shifting when they record video or audio for later viewing or listening.
Space-shifting
Space-shifting allows media, such as music or films, stored on one device to be accessed from another place through another device.
Backup copies
Platform of choice
Translation
Chapter 25
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6. *Patients’ Bill of Rights
Information disclosure
Choice of providers and plans
Access to emergency services
Health plans must pay for costs that a prudent layperson (a reasonable untrained person in a similar position) would reasonably expect the plan to cover.
Treatment decisions
Respect and nondiscrimination
Confidentiality
Complaints and appeals
Chapter 25
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7. Consumer Protection Laws
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Flammable Fabrics Act
Flammability is the capacity for catching on fire.
Meat Inspection Laws
Hazardous Substances Act
A recall is a request for consumers to return a defective product to the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Chapter 25
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8. Consumer Protection Laws
(continued)
Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendment
Generic drugs are medications with the same composition as the equivalent brand-name drugs, but they are generally less expensive.
Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act
Warning labels advise consumers of health hazzards.
Chapter 25
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9. Consumer Protection Laws
(continued)
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
Child Protection and Toy Safety Act
Requires special labeling and childproof products (resistant to tampering by young children)
Chapter 25
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10. Consumer Protection Laws
(continued)
Care Labeling Rule
Care labels give instructions for cleaning, wash and dry temperature, and other care needed to preserve the product.
Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Generic Drug Act
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act
Chapter 25
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11. Consumer Protection Laws
(continued)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
Sets rules about who can see your health information.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
Applies to the online collection of personal information from children under 13 years of age.
Chapter 25
© 2016 South-Western, Cengage Learning

12. Lesson 25.2 Consumer Agencies
Learning Objectives
LO 2-1 List and describe government and private sources of consumer assistance.
LO 2-2 Explain how to contact public officials to express opinions and file complaints.
Chapter 25
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13. *Sources of Consumer Protection
Federal agencies
State and local assistance
Private organizations
Consumer advocates
Public officials
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14. *Federal Agencies
Many federal government agencies provide information of interest to consumers.
Some of these agencies handle consumer complaints, and others direct complaints to agencies or sources that address consumer issues.
All of these agencies maintain websites with helpful consumer information.
Chapter 25
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15. *Department of Agriculture
Within the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), there are a number of agencies that meet various consumer needs regarding the food supply.
Chapter 25
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16. National Institute of Standards and Technology
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
One of its missions is to develop and reward standards of excellence in business.
Chapter 25
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17. Food and Drug Administration
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) enforces laws and regulations preventing distribution of mislabeled foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices.
Chapter 25
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18. Consumer Product Safety Commission
The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) protects consumers from unreasonable risk of injury or death from potentially hazardous consumer products.
Chapter 25
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19. *Federal Communications Commission
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
Chapter 25
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20. Federal Trade Commission
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) regulates unfair methods of competition, false or deceptive advertising, deceptive product labeling, and concealment of the true cost of credit.
Chapter 25
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21. United States Postal Inspection Service
The USPIS (United States Postal Inspection Service) is a federal law enforcement agency that investigates consumer problems pertaining to illegal use of the mail.
The USPIS enforces postal laws, protecting consumers from dangerous articles, fraud, pornography, and identity theft involving the mail.
Chapter 25
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22. Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
It maintains regulations and standards that airline companies must follow in order to transport passengers.
The FAA oversees the nation’s air traffic control system.
Chapter 25
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23. Securities and Exchange Commission
The main purpose of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets.
Chapter 25
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24. State and Local Assistance
State consumer protection agency
State attorney general
County and city consumer protection offices
Consumer leagues and public-interest research groups
Legal aid societies
Local newspaper and broadcast consumer action reporters
Consumer representatives on local utility or licensing boards
Independent consumer groups
Chapter 25
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25. Private Organizations
The BBB (Better Business Bureau) is a nonprofit organization focused on creating a more trusting relationship between businesses and consumers.
If consumers are dissatisfied with a business transaction, they can file a complaint with the BBB.
Chapter 25
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26. Private Organizations
(continued)
The National Consumers League (NCL) operates Fraud.org (formerly the National Fraud Information Center).
Consumer Action is a national nonprofit advocacy and education organization.
The Consumers Union is a nonprofit organization best known as the publisher of Consumer Reports, a magazine that publishes reviews, comparisons, and ratings of consumer products and services.
Chapter 25
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27. Consumer Advocates
In addition to working with private organizations, consumers may also seek the support of a consumer advocate—a person who actively promotes consumer causes.
Chapter 25
© 2016 South-Western, Cengage Learning