Each year the Federal Trade Commission shares the list of the most common consumer complaints the agency receives.

For the 11th year in a row, identity theft has been the number one complaint.

You can read the full report (PDF) for more details on the complaints.

Dept. of Defense photo of U.S. military members helping Japanese citizens clean up a park in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami.

Many places are taking donations to help the disaster relief efforts in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami that took place on March 11. As donations to help the victims flow in, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warns that con-artists are quick to try and scam generous givers.

Here are some tips from the IC3 to help you avoid becoming a scam victim:

• Check to see if the charity is legitimate by visiting their website directly. Don’t use any questionable links you may have been sent.
• Verify that the charity of your choice is a non-profit organization that will use your donation to help the cause.
• Do not give out your personal or financial information to anyone soliciting contributions, or you could become a victim of identity theft. 

More tips for safe donating.

If you are looking to donate to the disaster relief efforts going on in Japan, use the tools recommended by the Federal Trade Commission to research your charity of choice.

National Consumer Protection Week, which runs from March 6-12, is a nationwide campaign that encourages you to learn your rights as a consumer so you can spend your money wisely and protect yourself from scams and frauds.

The Federal Trade Commission and several other organizations are hosting events across the country where you can learn about consumer safety and shred old documents with sensitive information, like Social Security numbers, that you don’t need any more. Check out the list of events to see if there is one in your area.

If you can’t attend an in-person event, you can still learn how to be a savvy consumer with tips from the NCPW website:

• Order a free copy of the Consumer Action Handbook. This guide is full of advice on buying products and services and what you should do if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase. It includes a sample complaint letter and lists the steps you need to take to file a complaint with a seller.
• Protect your identity online. Using the tools from OnGuard Online, you’ll learn to identify common scams and get advice for keeping your personal information secure.
• Take time to manage your money. Whether you’re trying to get out of debt or looking to boost your credit score, you’ll find out how to manage your money safely and avoid scams targeted toward people who are less experienced at handling their finances.

You can find more tips and advice for being a smart consumer at NCPW.gov.

Logo of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

This week is National Consumer Protection Week, and Elizabeth Warren has written a great post on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) blog about how she and the CFPB are working to help citizens understand the costs of borrowing money.

From the blog post:

Too many families that work hard and play by the rules are stretched to the breaking point. They have taken on debt to pay for college, a home, and other needs. The latest economic crisis is just one more blow in an increasingly dangerous economic world.

There was a time when the basic terms governing consumer financial products were pretty easy to see. But that has changed. Today, too many lenders hide complex terms among pages and pages of fine print in credit agreements, making it hard for borrowers to compare one product to two or three others.

The CFPB is working to change that. When prices and risks are clear up front, consumers can make the choices that are best for themselves and their families. In other words, we want a credit market that works for consumers.

Read the rest of the post or learn more about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at ConsumerFinance.gov