Consumers Protection websites are down because of the shutdown declared by the government

Key websites for consumer protection run by the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission are down due to the shutdown declared by the Government. Reportedly, this is the longest shutdown ever. It has left the consumers vulnerable.

FTC informed that few websites will remain inoperable throughout the shutdown including donotcall.gov.  The website allows consumers to register for agency’s National Do Not Call services.“Due to the government shutdown, we are unable to offer this website service at this time,” the site displays the message regretting the inconvenience to the consumers.Even the telemarketers, who have to check the website regularly before making calls, cannot access the websites. As per the Washington post, the agencies are not releasing any data that could provide help to the third-party call-blockers.

However, certain websites like ftc.gov still continue to operate. 

The agency has closed many other websites. Among those is identitytheft.gov, a site used for reporting fraudulent activities involving identity thefts. Moreover, they have shutdownftc.gov/complaint. It could lead to more vulnerability to any malicious attacks. FTC informs that they will resume operations when the government is funded. The negotiations still continue and until then nothing can be concluded about the withdrawal of the government’s decision of shutting down the websites.