[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 41 (Thursday, March 4, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 12525-12526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04646]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 41 / Thursday, March 4, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 12525]]


                Proclamation 10154 of March 1, 2021

                
National Consumer Protection Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                American families are grappling with the devastating 
                challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic 
                crisis with courage and resilience every day. In this 
                moment of crisis, the last thing any of us should have 
                to contend with are predators in the consumer 
                marketplace seeking to take advantage of us, exploit 
                our personal data, or invade our digital privacy.

                Unfortunately, the pandemic has brought a wave of fraud 
                in its wake, with scam artists serving up fake websites 
                and advertisements targeting desperate Americans in 
                search of personal protective equipment. Scammers also 
                saw the distribution of stimulus payments as fertile 
                ground for fraud, offering vulnerable people false 
                promises of help to get their payments more quickly. My 
                Administration has zero tolerance for these and other 
                criminals who take Americans' hard-earned dollars or 
                abuse their personal information.

                As Americans rely more and more on digital products--
                from virtual communication tools helping us stay 
                connected through the pandemic, to apps and smart 
                appliances that bring greater convenience to our 
                lives--our commitment to consumer protection must keep 
                pace with these incredible innovations. Just because we 
                increasingly depend on technology to work, shop, go to 
                school, and see our loved ones doesn't mean that we 
                should sacrifice our safety or privacy.

                My Administration will make it a priority to ensure 
                that companies providing these and other services honor 
                consumer expectations regarding their privacy and their 
                data. We will pursue fraudulent actors aggressively, 
                and work to raise the bar on digital security standards 
                as new innovations are introduced. We also recognize 
                the important role that savvy consumers play in keeping 
                the marketplace honest. My Administration will make 
                sure that Americans in every community have access to 
                the educational resources they need to make informed 
                choices online--including resources to help them 
                protect their privacy and recognize, avoid, and report 
                fraudulent schemes.

                As millions of Americans face continued hardship from 
                the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also prevent abuses that 
                can result in individuals and families losing their 
                homes. My Administration has taken decisive action to 
                help keep people in their homes, and I encourage 
                Americans to visit www.consumerfinance.gov/housing for 
                up-to-date information on their relief options, 
                protections, and key deadlines. As Federal agencies 
                continue working to implement housing assistance for 
                American families, the Consumer Financial Protection 
                Bureau offers this website as a one-stop shop for both 
                homeowners and renters to learn about programs and 
                resources that can help them stay in their homes by 
                reducing the risk of eviction and foreclosure.

                The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial 
                Protection Bureau, our Nation's consumer protection 
                agencies, in coordination with law enforcement across 
                the country, fight predatory practices and privacy 
                violations day in and day out, with investigations, law 
                enforcement actions, and free, actionable, plain-
                language consumer education resources. National

[[Page 12526]]

                Consumer Protection Week brings together public and 
                private sector organizations that work to educate and 
                protect the American people from marketplace threats. 
                This week, and all year long, my Administration is 
                dedicated to making sure that every American 
                understands their rights and has access to information 
                that can help protect themselves and their communities. 
                To learn more about these resources, visit 
                www.consumer.ftc.gov. To learn how to get involved with 
                National Consumer Protection Week, visit www.ftc.gov/ncpw ncpw.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 28 
                through March 6, 2021, as National Consumer Protection 
                Week. I call upon government officials, industry 
                leaders, and advocates across the Nation to share 
                information about consumer protection and provide our 
                citizens with information about their rights as 
                consumers.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-04646
Filed 3-3-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P