CoNSUMER NEWS &REVIEWS - Vol.47 No.6 - November-December 1999

Oct 13, 2026

Consumer News & Reviews issue covers ACCI news and consumer-focused developments from November–December 1999. Topics include federal proposals to ban unsolicited “look-a-like” loan checks, expansion of fraud information resources, and organizational updates such as a publication merger and a new ACCI website. It also reports on international electronic transactions developments, new Canadian fair-trading measures, grant programs, telemarketing and online scam monitoring, and related legislative and enforcement perspectives.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

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Consumer News & Reviews

A # American Council on Consumer Interests C' # CoNSUMER NEWS &REVIEWS C I November-December 1999 Vol.47 No.6 check solicitation,and give the NEWS OF Federal Reserve authority to issue regulations governing"look-a-1ike" ACCI NEWS OTHER checks sent by lenders to solicit second mortgages and home equity ## CONSUMER loans.("Federal Bil1 Would Ban Un- solicited Loan Checks,"Consumer NEW WEBSITE.A new ACCI website ## ORGANIZATIONS Action News,September 1999,p.1.) is being developed,with a search- able membership data base,links to BUSINESS FRAUD.The www.fraud.org consumer graduate school programs, E-COMMERCE,Approved July 1999 by web site has been expanded to in- job opportunities and much more, the National Conference of Commis- clude a section that helps businesses (Note:ACCI members not receiving sioners on Uniform State Laws,the avoid common scams and report them. electronic mail from ACCI should send Uniform Electronic Transactions Act The National Consumers League cre- their email address to ACCI.) (UETA)has passed in California with ated the National Fraud Information Center in 1992 to offer advice and some important non-uniform amendments PUBLICATION MERGER.The board that favor consumers.UETA wil1 now take reports about telemarketing voted to publish one journal four fraud,then added the Internet Fraud be offered in the other 49 states. times a year.This change will shorten One concern of consumer advocates is Watch in 1996 to provide counseling the length of time between submis- and take reports about online scams, that electronic records and signa- sion and publication while increas- The "Scams Against Businesses"web tures would be elevated to the same ing visibility and status of the pub- www.fraud.org/ legal status accorded paper records site is: lication.The new journal will con- and handwritten signatures,Consum- scamsagainstbusinesses. tain both peer-reviewed papers typi- ers Union's web site contains materi- cally published in JCA and practi- als to help evaluate UETA and de- cal application papers currently pub- INTERNATIONAL scribes needed changes to the UETA, 1ished in ACI.The fourth issue wil1 ("Uniform Electronic Transactions Act: contain the conference proceedings. ## CONSUMER Consumer Nightmare or Opportunity?" The current editors are working with Www.consumersunion.org/finance/ a committee to identify issues re- 899nclcwc.htm) ## NEWS lated to this change.The process will take a year or more to imple- NEW GRANT PROGRAM.A first-of- ment.(Note:ACCI members with ques- NEW CANADIAN LAW.Alberta's new its kind grant program is designed to tions or suggestions should contact Fair Trading Act,effective Septem- help Debt Counselors of America(DCA) Mary Carsky or Mohamed AbdeI-Ghany.) ber 1,1999,has increased remedies clients through one-time financial and enforcement tools and tougher pen- emergencies,The HOPE Program gives STUDENT TRAVEL GRANT.ACCI is alties to discourage marketplace up to $I,000 to DCA clients who have implementing a student travel grant fraud.Standards have been clarified, been through the Crisis Relief Team program to help defray the cost of trade barriers between provinces re- program and are experiencing an unex- attending the annual meeting.The duced,and rights and responsibili- pected financial dilemma.For more program will be in effect for the ties of businesses and consumers information,contact Debt Counselors 2000 annual meeting. spelled out in detail.For more in- of America at 800-680-3328;Web site: formation:1-877-427-4088(tol1-free); http://getoutofdebt.org CNR EDITOR SEARCH.A search for ww.gov.ab.ca/gs a new editor for an electronic ver- UNSOLICITED LOAN CHECKS."Live" sion of Consumer News and Reviews is GLOBAL TELECOM.In the past three loan checks becom

FAQs

What consumer risks are discussed regarding unsolicited loan checks in this issue?

The issue describes “look-a-like” loan checks and live loan check solicitations that can become repayable debts. It highlights proposed federal regulations to prohibit unsolicited loan checks to protect consumers from liability.

What website and fraud-related resources are mentioned?

It notes the expansion of the www.fraud.org site with sections that help avoid scams and report them, and it references additional consumer resources online for finance-related information.

Which policy and administrative updates are reported for consumer transactions and publication changes?

The issue reports progress on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (including changes in amendments) and a publication merger where a board voted to publish one journal four times a year to shorten publication time while increasing visibility.

Oct 13, 2026

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