Swem Government Information - Consumer Information

Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:42:00 -0500

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes/PDF Information on which changes are normal and which are abnormal and require medical followup. From the National Cancer Institute.

Charting the Future Course of International Technical Assistance: A Report

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:01:00 -0500

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/reports/250908.htm Reports on the outcome of a February 2008 workshop on technical assistance programs that help foreign countries develop their laws and policies on competition and consumer protection. Describes five themes to guide agency technical assistance activities in the future. From the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission.

Amendments to Rule to Prevent Deceptive Marketing of Credit Reports and to Ensure Access to Free Dis

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0500

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/R411005freeannualfile.pdf Proposed regulations which would require advertisements for free credit reports to include prominent disclosures designed to prevent consumers from confusing these offers with the sole federally mandated source for free reports. Also prohibits other practices that may interfere with the free file disclosure process. From the Federal Register and the Federal Trade Commission.

Educational Benefits for Veterans and Dependents of Active Duty Military

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:40:00 -0500

http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalId=2502 Describes the educational benefits available to active duty military and veterans as a result of recent legislation. Covers the Post 9/11 GI Bill, enhancements to the Montgomery GI Bill, and new authority for the Department of Defense to oversee transfer of benefits from active military to dependents. From the Office of Personnel Management.

The Department of Labor's List of Goods Produced By Child Labor or Forced Labor

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:57:00 -0500

http://www.dol.gov/ilab/programs/ocft/PDF/2009TVPRA.pdf Provides a list of 122 goods from 58 countries that the Department of Labor has reason to believe are produced by forced labor or child labor in violation of international standards. Authorized by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and built on 15 years of investigation. From the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Schizophrenia

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:29:00 -0500

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-booket-2009.pdf Brochure with general information about what schizophrenia is, its symptoms, what causes it, and how it is treated. From the National Institute of Mental Health

Television Specification

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:15:00 -0500

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=revisions.television_spec Describes requirements that must be met to earn Energy Star rating for television sets. Covers Version 4.0 specifications effective May 2010 and Version 5.0 specifications effective May 2012. From the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Flu.Gov

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:13:00 -0500

http://www.flu.gov/ Subtitled One-Stop Access to U.S. Government H1N1, Avian, and Pandemic Flu Information. Includes general information, frequently asked questions, economic impacts, travel information, and research activities.

Telemarketing Sales Rule: Final Rule Amendments

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:39:00 -0500

http://www.ftc.gov/os/fedreg/2008/august/080829tsr.pdf Text of a Federal Register regulation which prohibits robocalls, telemarketing calls that deliver prerecorded messages without a consumer's express written agreement to receive such calls. Such calls must also provide specified opt-out mechanisms. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Additional Guidance on Credit Card Account Rate Increases

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:38:00 -0500

http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2009-99.htm Press release which describes additional disclosures which banks must make before raising credit card interest rates. Previously the banks were required to provide customers with a 45 day notice but could apply new rates to transactions during the notification period. Now they must disclose this fact. From the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Resale Roundup 2009: Top Ten List of Recalled Children's Products

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:10:00 -0500

http://www.cpsc.gov/roundup/roundup2009.html Describes the dangers posed by each of the products and includes photos or diagrams. From the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Paying the Debts of a Deceased Relative: Who is Responsible?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:57:00 -0500

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt159.shtm Provides information about what the law requires in regard to responsibility for debts of surviving relatives. From the Federal Trade Commission.

5 Tips for Shopping for a Mortgage

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:46:00 -0500

http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/mortgagetips/mortgagetips.pdf Single page guide for consumers. From the Federal Reserve Board

Requirements and Procedures for Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:28:00 -0500

http://www.cars.gov/files/TheRule.pdf Presents final rules for participation in the so-called cash for clunkers program. This program helps consumers pay for a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle when they trade in a less fuel efficient vehicle. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Financial Regulatory Reform: Analysis of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:56:00 -0500

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40696_20090717.pdf Provides a brief summary of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act as proposed by the Obama administration, analyzes some of the policy implications of the proposal, and raises some questions regarding state law preemption, funding sources, and rulemaking procedures. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.