Contact: Rosie Cataldo 612-204-5261 Date: February 5, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Consumer Protection Week

MINNEAPOLIS—Feb. 5-10 has been designated as National Consumer Protection Week. The week is designed to highlight consumer protection and education efforts around the country. The theme of this year's National Consumer Protection Week is “$eeing Red? High-Cost Loans Are Danger Zones,” with a focus on abusive lending practices.

During this week, individuals and organizations will teach consumers that not all loans or lenders are created equal. The cost of doing business with lenders who engage in abusive lending practices can be high. Consumers who borrow from unscrupulous lenders could risk losing their homes and their money.

For more information on National Consumer Protection Week and abusive lending practices, visit www.consumer.gov and click on the “Danger” sign. The site includes links to online publications and consumer resources, and lists suggestions for promoting National Consumer Protection Week.

Committee members for National Consumer Protection Week include the following organizations: National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, American Association of Retired Persons, Federal Trade Commission, National Consumers League, Better Business Bureau, Consumer Federation of America, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, National Association of Attorneys General and the U.S. Department of Justice.

-30-