On Thursday, March 10, 2011 the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released Best Practices for Identity Theft Services (PDF) to address consumer concern about misleading marketing and exaggerated protection guarantees. Identity theft services typically monitor individuals’ credit reports for any activity, including inquiries and new accounts, and monitor public records for postings such as liens and judgments.

To celebrate the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is joining forces with government agencies and nonprofits to education consumers on important privacy issues. This year, we’re highlighting our top five privacy tips from our most popular fact sheets.

Today, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on its preliminary report, “Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: a Proposed Framework for Businesses and Policymakers.”

COMMENTS TO FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Submitted by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse on Feb. 18, 2011

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) respectfully submits the following comments to the Federal Trade Commission for its consideration with respect to the December 2010 Preliminary FTC Staff Report: “Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change.”

1. Background

2. General Statements

3. Scope

On Feb. 10, 2011, the California Supreme Court ruled that retail stores are not allowed to request and record a consumer's zip code as part of a credit card transaction. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and the Consumer Federation of California, that

In the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, many consumers are feeling hopeful, romantic, and generous – feelings online criminals prey on in order to scam you. Most online scams fool you into clicking on malicious (dangerous) links. This week, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse urges consumers to be especially cautious online.

Comments of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Information Privacy and Innovation in the Internet
Docket No. 101214614-0614-01
RIN 0660-XA22
Department of Commerce
Office of the Secretary
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
International Trade Administration
National Institute of Standards and Technology

January 28, 2011

Many Americans are wrapping up a holiday season filled with online shopping, Facebook status updates, and gifts of smartphones and eBook readers. Now that the New Year is upon us, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is urging Americans to pay attention to the privacy risks that accompany these trending technologies.

December 13, 2010

TO:

Edwin Hoffmark
California Department of Public Health
PO Box 997377; MS 3201
Sacramento, CA 95899-7337

Submitted via email: RNUnit-at-cdph.ca.gov

Dear Mr. Hoffmark:

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse[1] appreciates the opportunity to submit pre-meeting comments regarding the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) upcoming regulations regarding breaches of consumers’ personal health data. We direct our comments as follows:

Submitted by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

December 1, 2010

Federal Trade Commission
Office of the Secretary, Room H-135 (Annex W)
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20580
ATTN: Christopher Koegel

Submitted electronically: https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/deceaseddebtcollection