What consumer protection laws are available at the federal level?

At the federal level, consumers are protected by a variety of laws that are designed to protect them from fraud and other deceptive practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing these laws, which include the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Truth in Lending Act. Additionally, the FTC prohibits deceptive acts and practices such as bait-and-switch tactics, false advertising, and other unfair practices. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, provide consumers with access to their credit reports and other information related to their credit. These credit bureaus must also follow certain rules when it comes to reporting and collecting negative information on a consumer’s credit report. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from unfair and harassing debt collection tactics. This act prohibits debt collectors from using deceptive, unfair, or abusive practices, such as contacting consumers before 8am and after 9pm, threatening violence or harm, falsely claiming to be attorneys, or falsely claiming to be government representatives. The Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to provide consumers with accurate information about the cost of a loan before they agree to obtain it. This includes the interest rate, credit fees, and closing costs associated with the loan. In Washington, additional consumer protection measures are available, such as the Washington Consumer Protection Act, which is designed to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices. This act applies to businesses of all sizes and applies to a wide range of services and products, such as financial services, insurance, and real estate.

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What consumer protection laws are available at the federal level?

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