Federal Laws Governing Ads Consumer Basics Federal Laws Governing Ads There are many federal laws that regulate advertisements in some way or another.
The Financial Services Industry Consumer Basics The Financial Services Industry The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the financial services industry’s primary self-regulating body. FINRA’s stated mission is to protect investors by making sure the financial industry operates fairly and…
Puffery – A Marketer’s Right To Lie Consumer Basics Puffery – A Marketer’s Right To Lie Ads can legally lie to you as long as the lie is so obvious an exaggeration that you know not to take it seriously.
The Scoop on Social Media Influencer Disclosure Requirements Consumer Basics The Scoop on Social Media Influencer Disclosure Requirements What kind of disclosure is necessary for social media influencer marketing?
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Basics Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Congress created the CFPB after the 2009 financial crisis to regulate mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and other financial products and services used by consumers.
Free Doesn’t Usually Mean Free Consumer Basics Free Doesn’t Usually Mean Free There’s lots of strings attached to offers of free products and services.
Sales, Bargains, Discounts Consumer Basics Sales, Bargains, Discounts Shoppers face fictitious pricing, perpetual sales and more when trying to decipher a true bargain in the aisle.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service Consumer Basics U.S. Postal Inspection Service Among its many responsibilities, the USPIS enforces the laws regarding illegal or dangerous use of the mail system and conducts investigations (sometimes in conjunction with other federal agencies, like the…
What to Know about Negative-Option Offers Consumer Basics What to Know about Negative-Option Offers Risk free trials may lead to repeated, unwanted charges to your credit card.
Who Can You Complain to at the Federal Level? Consumer Basics Who Can You Complain to at the Federal Level? A topic-by-topic list of federal agencies that deal with deceptive advertising.
Talking to Kids about Deceptive Advertising Resources Talking to Kids about Deceptive Advertising Teach your children well, about ads.
Does Size Really Matter? A Primer on Slack-Filled Packaging Consumer Basics Does Size Really Matter? A Primer on Slack-Filled Packaging What to know about the FDA’s rule on underfilled or slack-filled packaging.
Sweepstakes & Prizes Consumer Basics Sweepstakes & Prizes Sweepstakes and lotteries may be scams in disguise.
Econsumer.gov Consumer Basics Econsumer.gov Econsumer.gov, which was established in 2001, is a website where consumers can file complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies.
U.S. Department of the Interior Consumer Basics U.S. Department of the Interior The Department of Interior (DOI), established in 1849, is the federal department responsible for protecting the country’s natural resources and cultural heritage.
U.S. Department of Justice Consumer Basics U.S. Department of Justice The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is led by the Attorney General, is the federal executive department responsible for enforcing federal laws. Among other things, it works with other…
The First Amendment and Commercial Speech Consumer Basics The First Amendment and Commercial Speech When the government can restrict commercial speech.
What to Know about Sponsored Content Consumer Basics What to Know about Sponsored Content It’s getting harder to distinguish advertisements from objective content.
National Credit Union Administration Consumer Basics National Credit Union Administration Since 1970, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has been the regulator and primary enforcement authority for federal credit unions. Among its many responsibilities, the NCUA is charged with enforcing…