[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9239 of February 27, 2015

National Consumer Protection Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As Americans, we believe that our destiny is written by us--not for us--
and that ours is a country where hard work should pay off and
responsibility should be rewarded. Through all of the challenges we have
overcome and the grueling work required to bring our economy out of the
worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, we have held on to
that promise. Yet each day, fraud, abuse, and theft threaten the
economic well-being of individuals and families across our Nation who
spend their lives striving to build a sense of security. During National
Consumer Protection Week, we redouble our efforts to protect Americans
from financial fraud and identity theft, and to ensure our economy gives
every person a chance to succeed.
Over the past 6 years, my Administration has been committed to
protecting the hard-earned money and privacy of our citizens. In today's
digital age, we are more connected and do more online than ever before.
Unfortunately, the very technologies that empower us to do great good
can also be used to undermine us and inflict great harm. That is why my
Administration is working to create a single, strong national standard
so people know when their information has been stolen or misused, and
why we are encouraging companies to equip consumers with their credit
scores free of charge so they can quickly detect and deal with fraud. I
also continue to call on the Congress to enact overdue cybersecurity
legislation that will help protect Americans--particularly by clarifying
companies' obligations when sensitive data is breached.

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As part of our BuySecure Initiative, the Federal Government is leading
the way by transitioning to a more secure chip and PIN payment system--
because you should be able to visit our National Parks or use the Postal
Service without risking your identity. Earlier this year, we convened
the first-ever White House Summit on Cybersecurity and Consumer
Protection, and we are taking new steps to assist the victims of
identity theft. Furthermore, Americans who responsibly prepare for
retirement should not be taken advantage of, so we are proposing a new
rule to require retirement advisors to put their clients' financial
interests before their own. We have also introduced a discussion draft
of legislation for a new Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights to safeguard
basic principles that both defend personal privacy and allow industry to
keep innovating.
Consumers can also take steps to protect themselves and their
families. Predatory and deceptive lending practices, identity theft,
financial scams, and fraud can cause lasting devastation for victims.
By empowering ourselves with information about our rights and
the resources available to us, we can be prepared and make better-
informed decisions. I encourage everyone to visit www.NCPW.gov
and www.IdentityTheft.gov to learn more about the risks and
vulnerabilities we all face, as well as the steps we can take to defend
ourselves and the tools and support available to help save time, money,
and heartache.
When we, as Americans, put our minds together and our shoulders to the
wheel, we can accomplish anything. The United States created the
Internet and a new age of information--but we also pioneered the Bill of
Rights, and we believe individuals have a sphere of privacy around them
that should not be breached. This week, let us recommit to safeguarding
consumers, and let us strive to grow our economy in ways that preserve
the values we hold dear so that each of us has the power to translate
our dreams into reality.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 March 1 through March
7, 2015, 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 twenty-seventh day
of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA