25 Consumer Protection Laws Everyone Should Know

General Consumer Protection

Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914

Prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices, giving the FTC the right to enforce consumer protection laws.

Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972

Forms the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is mandated to oversee consumer products and provide safety.

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Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975

Stipulates clear warranties so consumers can know what their rights are in case the product is faulty.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

Legislation that encompasses commercial transactions. It includes three main areas, namely sales, leases, and warranties.

Lemon Laws

State laws that protect buyers of defective vehicles, requiring repair, replacement, or refunds for “lemons.”

Advertising and Marketing

Lanham Act (1946)

Prohibits false advertising and protects trademarks, ensuring truthful marketing practices.

Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR)

Regulates telemarketing practices, including “Do Not Call” list protections.

CAN-SPAM Act (2003)

Sets rules for commercial email, requiring accurate subject lines and opt-out mechanisms.

Truth in Advertising Laws

Enforced by the FTC, these laws prohibit deceptive or false advertising practices.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA, 1998)

Protects children’s personal information collected online through consent from their parents.

Credit and Debt Protection

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA, 1970)

Credit report keeps accurate, private, and reasonable.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA, 1977)

Sets rules for debt collectors; does not allow harassment, abuse, or deceitful practices.

Truth in Lending Act (TILA, 1968)

Requires lenders to disclose the terms, interest rate, and cost of the loan to a borrower.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA, 1974)

Prohibits discrimination in credit applications based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.

Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act, 2009)

This aims to protect credit card holders through regulation of fees, interest rates, and billing practices.

Financial and Banking Protections

Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA, 1978)

Provides protection to consumer-related electronic payments, including responsibility for unauthorized transactions.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010)

Created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to oversee financial services and protect consumers.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA, 1999)

Requires financial institutions to explain their data-sharing practices and protect consumers’ private information.

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA, 2005)

Reforms bankruptcy laws to prevent abuse and ensure fair treatment of creditors and debtors.

Payday Lending Laws

State-specific laws regulate short-term, high-interest payday loans to prevent predatory lending practices.

Digital and E-Commerce Protections

E-SIGN Act (2000)

Recognizes electronic signatures as legally binding in contracts, promoting secure online transactions.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018 – EU)

Though not a U.S. law, GDPR influences global businesses, requiring transparency in data collection and use.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA, 2018)

Grants California residents control over their personal data collected by businesses.

No Surprises Act (2022)

Protects consumers from unexpected medical bills, particularly for out-of-network services.

Anti-Phishing Consumer Protection Act (various state laws)

Criminalizes phishing schemes in order to safeguard consumers from frauds perpetrated on the internet.

These laws make up the mainstay of consumer protection. Issues range from safety in products to privacy in digital data.

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