[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 5919-5920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3158]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 26 / Thursday, February 7, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 5919]]

                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

[[Page 5920]]

                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

[FR Doc. 02-3158
Filed 2-06-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P