Consumer Protection

▸ Agencies

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East-West Hwy., #519, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7908. Fax, (301) 504-0399. Nancy Nord, Chair (Acting); Patricia Semple, Executive Director. TTY, (800) 638-8270. Public Affairs, (301) 504-7908. Congressional Relations, (301) 504-7903. Product safety hotline, (800) 638-2772.

General e-mail, info@cpsc.gov

Web, http://www.cpsc.gov

Establishes and enforces product safety standards; collects data; studies the causes and prevention of product-related injuries; identifies hazardous products, including imports, and recalls them from the marketplace.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), HazardIdentification and Reduction, 4330 East-West Hwy., #723, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7949. Fax, (301) 504-0407. Robert J. Howell, Deputy Assistant Executive Director.

Web, http://www.cpsc.gov

Establishes labeling and packaging regulations. Develops standards in accordance with the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Consumer Products Safety Act, and the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs, 4330 East-West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7907. Fax, (301) 504-0137. Richard O'Brien, Director.

Web, http://www.cpsc.gov

Coordinates international and intergovernmental efforts with respect to consumer product safety standards [Page 48]development, harmonization efforts, inspection and enforcement coordination, consumer education, and information dissemination.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

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Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., #130 20580; (202) 326-2830. Fax, (202) 326-2012. David Torok, Director. Identity Fraud report line, (877) ID-THEFT. Toll-free, (877) FTC-HELP.

Web, http://www.ftc.gov

Enforces regulations dealing with unfair or deceptive business practices in advertising, credit, marketing, and service industries; educates consumers and businesses about these regulations; conducts investigations and litigation.

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General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Citizen Information Center, 1800 F St. N.W., #G142 20405; (202) 501-1794. Fax, (202) 501-4281. Teresa N. Nasif, Director.

Web, http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Publishes quarterly consumer information catalog that lists free and low-cost federal publications. Copies may be obtained from the Consumer Information Centers, Pueblo, CO 81009. Copies also available at Federal Information Centers.

▸ Agency and Department Consumer Contacts

Commission on Civil Rights, Public Affairs, 624 9th St. N.W., #700 20425; (202) 376-8312. Fax, (202) 376-7672. Martin Dennenfelser, Staff Director. TTY, (202) 376-8116

Web, http://www.usccr.gov

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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Public Affairs, 4330 East-West Hwy., #519, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7908. Fax, (301) 504-0862. Joseph Martyak, Director (Acting). TTY, (800) 638-8270. Product safety hotline, (800) 638-2772.

General e-mail, info@cpsc.gov

Web, http://www.cpsc.gov

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Education Dept., Legislation and Congressional Affairs, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., #6W300 20202-3500; (202) 401-0020. Fax, (202) 401-1438. Terrell Halaska, Assistant Secretary.

Web, http://www.ed.gov

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Energy Dept. (DOE), Intergovernmental and External Affairs, 1000 Independence Ave. S.W., CI-10, #8G070 20585; (202) 586-2764. Fax, (202) 586-7314. Steven Morello, Deputy Assistant Secretary.

Web, http://www.energy.gov

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Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 445 12th St. S.W., #5C758 20554; (202) 418-1400. Fax, (202) 418-2839. Cathy Seidel, Chief. TTY, (888) 835-5322.

General e-mail, fccinfo@fcc.gov

Web, http://www.fcc.gov/cg/consumers

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Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), Compliance and Consumer Affairs, 550 17th St. N.W. 20429-9990; (202) 898-3911. Fax, (202) 898-3638 Robert Mooney, Deputy Director. Information, (877) ASK-FDIC. TTY, (800) 925-4618

General e-mail, consumer@fdic.gov

Web, http://www.fdic.gov

[Page 49]Coordinates and monitors complaints filed by consumers against federally insured state banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System; handles complaints concerning truth-in-lending and other fair credit provisions, including charges of discrimination on the basis of sex or marital status; responds to general banking inquiries; answers questions on deposit insurance coverage.

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