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 Proclamations Proc. 7523 nancial services, shopping choices, and educational resources. However, as personal information becomes more accessible, consumers, corporations, and government agencies must take precautions against the misuse of that information. One of the most harmful abuses of personal information is identity theft. This occurs when someone steals a Social Security number, a birth date, or some other important piece of personal information to open new, fraud- ulent charge accounts, to order merchandise, or to borrow money. Victims usually find out about such frauds when collection agencies pursue them for payment on these illegally created accounts, or they are denied credit because of unpaid debts accrued by identity thieves. While vigorous law enforcement is vital to preventing the misuse of per- sonal information, consumer education is the first line of defense against this kind of fraud and deception. An educated consumer is a confident consumer; and it is confident consumers who drive the economy of our Na- tion. A number of public and private entities are joining forces this year to high- light consumer education efforts throughout the Nation. These efforts will help consumers learn more about securing personal information and pri- vacy issues. The entities involved include the following: the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, the American Association of Retired Per- sons, the Better Business Bureau, the Consumer Federation of America, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the National Asso- ciation of Attorneys General, and the Federal Consumer Information Cen- ter. These groups will help consumers understand how information and privacy issues affect their lives and the decisions they make in the market- place. During National Consumer Protection Week, I encourage all Americans to learn more about ways to safeguard their personal information, recognize fraudulent telemarketers, and identify fraudulent e-mail. Through these measures, individuals can better protect their financial security and ulti- mately contribute to the long-term strength of our economy. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 3 through 9, 2002, as National Consumer Protection Week. I call upon Government officials, industry leaders, and consumer advocates to provide consumers informa- tion about the use and misuse of personal information. This will help safe- guard the economic future of all Americans. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independ- ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH

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