THE DMA: A SAFE AND SECURE MARKETPLACE IS VITAL TO LEGITIMATE AT-DISTANCE SHOPPING: DMA Calls Government Fraud Prevention Campaign a Step in the Right Direction
NEW YORK, August 26, 2002 – The Direct Marketing Association (The DMA) today applauded the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in launching a national fraud prevention campaign. This step complements DMA efforts in working with the USPIS, FTC, AARP and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in producing consumer guides to promote safe and secure at-a-distance shopping.
"It is imperative that government create a safe and secure marketplace for consumers by identifying and prosecuting illegitimate businesses," said H. Robert Wientzen, president & CEO, The DMA. "By ferreting out the bad apples, both consumers and legitimate businesses benefit."
"Existing federal regulations and state laws are already in place to prosecute those who would defraud consumers both online and offline," said Patricia Faley, vice president, ethics & consumer affairs, The DMA. "It is important that regulators and consumers take full advantage of existing legislation to prosecute the fraudsters – especially those who would prey on senior citizens."
The DMA has also mounted a sustained effort on behalf of the industry, in cooperation with federal agencies and consumer protection groups, to assist consumers in avoiding or identifying fraudulent marketing practices. Consumer guides are available online at the following URL addresses:
- Make Knowledge Your Partner in Mail/Telephone Shopping
Published by The DMA in conjunction with the FTC
www.dmaconsumers.org/shoppingbymail.html
- Shopping by Phone - A One-Stop Guide to Consumer Protection
Published by the The DMA in conjunction with the FTC and FCC
www.dmaconsumers.org/shoppingbyphone.html
- Getting CyberSavvy - A New User's Guide to Going Online
Published in conjunction with AARP
www.cybersavvy.org/site/index.html
- Sweepstakes Advertising - A Consumer's Guide
Published in conjunction with the USPIS and Call for Action
www.dmaconsumers.org/sweepstakeshelp.html
- Sweepstakes Assistance - A Caregiver's Guide
www.dmaconsumers.org/olderconsumers.html
The DMA is the leading trade association for businesses interested in interactive and database marketing, with nearly 4,700 member companies from the United States and 53 other nations. Founded in 1917, its members include direct marketers from every business segment as well as the nonprofit and electronic marketing sectors. Included are catalogers, Internet retailers and service providers, financial services providers, book and magazine publishers, book and music clubs, retail stores, industrial manufacturers and a host of other vertical segments, including the service industries that support them. According to a DMA-commissioned study, direct and interactive marketing sales in the United States exceeded $1.86 trillion in 2001, including $118 billion in catalog sales and $30 billion in sales generated by the Internet. The DMA's Web site is
www.the-dma.org, and its consumer Web site is www.shopthenet.org.###