Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division

Spotlight

Consumer Advisory: FCC Issues Warning About Websites Advertising the ACP

Some internet service providers have not updated their websites and other marketing materials to reflect that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and its monthly discount on broadband services ended on June 1, 2024. Some provider websites even continue to collect personal information from consumers seeking enrollment in ACP.

• Read the full text of the FCC Consumer Advisory.

If you encounter a website claiming to provide an ACP benefit or seeking personal information for ACP enrollment, file a complaint by visiting the FCC's Consumer Complaint Center at fcc.gov/complaints.

If you entered your personal information, like your social security number, credit card, or bank information on a website offering ACP enrollment after February 8, 2024, visit IdentityTheft.gov. There you'll see the specific steps to take based on the information that you shared.

The ACP ended due to a lack of additional funding by Congress.

ACP enrolled households are strongly encouraged to carefully review written notices from their internet company and from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the ACP administrator, about the end of ACP.

Households are also encouraged to consult their internet company to learn more about how the end of the ACP will impact their internet service and bill.

January 2025

As the year 2025 starts, the FCC's Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division is highlighting several topics of interest for January. We look forward to hearing from you about these and other consumer-facing topics. Email us at Outreach@fcc.gov to schedule a meeting or request more information.

World Braille Day

We celebrated World Braille Day on January 4, the birthday of Braille inventor, Louis Braille. The day recognizes his contributions in helping blind and visually impaired people to read and write.

The FCC's 6^th Edition of the Section 504 Programs and Activities Accessibility Handbook (Section 504 Handbook) is a resource to address the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits federal agencies, programs, and activities receiving federal financial assistance, from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The Handbook contains information about accessible formats. This collection of guidelines, information, and procedures helps Commission staff members ensure that the FCC's programs and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Consumers can contact the FCC about obtaining information in Braille by sending an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or calling 202-418-0530.

The FCC's Disability Rights Office (DRO) provides expert advice and assistance to other Commission bureaus and offices, consumers, industry stakeholders, and others on issues relevant to persons with disabilities. For more information about the Disability Rights Office, please visit:  https://www.fcc.gov/accessibility.

Open Meeting

The FCC recently announced the tentative agenda for the January 15, 2025, Open Commission Meeting. More information about attending the meeting in–person or streaming it live is available online. If you missed the December 11, 2024, meeting, the archived footage is available to view.

Identity Theft Awareness Week

January 27 to 31, 2025 is Identity Theft Awareness Week. During the week, the Federal Trade Commission and its partners, will host free podcasts, webinars, Facebook Live interviews, and other events for consumers focused on avoiding and recovering from identity theft and spotting scams.

Broadband Labels

During this holiday season, some consumers may have received new electronic gifts, gadgets, and phones that will require a broadband connection. Finding the right broadband service is critical for efficient usage.

Since October 2024, internet service providers that offer home, or fixed, internet services, or mobile broadband plans are required to have a label for each standalone broadband service plan they offer at any point of sale, including online and in stores. Broadband labels are designed to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of high-speed internet services. The labels must disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds. If you would like more information about this topic, including scheduling a presentation, send an email to outreach@fcc.gov.

Consumer Education Materials

FCC consumer education materials are available to download in PDF format and print for outreach events.

Tip Cards and Posters
Consumer Guides
Consumer Help Center

Please note: this booklet contains an activity called "TV Pictures In Motion" which involves flipping between two pages. For best results for this activity, we recommend you print this booklet double-sided. If that option does not work for you, the activity is on pages 10 and 12 and can still be done by flipping between those two pages or using loose copies of those pages.

Download booklet: FCC in the Classroom

Additional Kids Activities

Consumer Guide Translations

Many FCC Consumer Guides are available in other languages.

• Guías para el Consumidor (Español)
• Mga Gabay (Tagalog)
• Người tiêu dùng Hướng dẫn (Vietnamese)
• 소비자 안내서 (Korean)
• 消費者指南 (Chinese)