National Consumer Protection Week, 2002

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7523 of February 4, 2002

National Consumer Protection Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year, we recognize the important role played by
public and private organizations in ensuring that the
American consumer is protected from unfair practices.
The theme of this year's National Consumer Protection
Week is ``Consumer Confidential: The Privacy Story.''
By focusing on consumer privacy and the protection of
personal information, this week will help Americans
learn more about securing their personal information
and preserving privacy.

Advances in computer technology have enabled the more
efficient use of information, which has benefitted
society as a whole and individual consumers in
particular. Americans now enjoy better access to credit
and financial services, shopping choices, and
educational resources. However, as personal information
becomes more accessible, consumers, corporations, and
government agencies must take precautions against the
misuse of that information.

One of the most harmful abuses of personal information
is identity theft. This occurs when someone steals a
Social Security number, a birth date, or some other
important piece of personal information to open new,
fraudulent charge accounts, to order merchandise, or to
borrow money. Victims usually find out about such
frauds when collection agencies pursue them for payment
on these illegally created accounts, or they are denied
credit because of unpaid debts accrued by identity
thieves.

While vigorous law enforcement is vital to preventing
the misuse of personal information, consumer education
is the first line of defense against this kind of fraud
and deception. An educated consumer is a confident
consumer; and it is confident consumers who drive the
economy of our Nation.

A number of public and private entities are joining
forces this year to highlight consumer education
efforts throughout the Nation. These efforts will help
consumers learn more about securing personal
information and privacy issues. The entities involved
include the following: the Federal Trade Commission,
the National Association of Consumer Agency
Administrators, the National Consumers League, the
American Association of Retired Persons, the Better
Business Bureau, the Consumer Federation of America,
the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection
Service, the National Association of Attorneys General,
and the Federal Consumer Information Center. These
groups will help consumers understand how information
and privacy issues affect their lives and the decisions
they make in the marketplace.

During National Consumer Protection Week, I encourage
all Americans to learn more about ways to safeguard
their personal information, recognize fraudulent
telemarketers, and identify fraudulent e-mail. Through
these measures, individuals can better protect their
financial security and ultimately contribute to the
long-term strength of our economy.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim February 3 through

9, 2002, as National Consumer Protection Week. I call
upon Government officials, industry leaders, and
consumer advocates to provide consumers information
about the use and misuse of personal information. This
will help safeguard the economic future of all
Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord two
thousand two, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

(Presidential Sig.)B