Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Presidential Documents 11853 

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. 

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 


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11854 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2015–04517 

Filed 3–3–15; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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