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The phrase "consumer protection" refers to laws and government actions that help "consumers" (people who buy or use things). Consumer protection can include getting customers the information they need to make educated buying decisions and stopping companies from "taking advantage of" (doing things that will hurt another person) consumers.

In the United States, there are many consumer protection "acts" (laws). Some of them are "federal" (national) and other are at the state level. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, for example, limits how companies can collect "debts" (money owed to another person or organization) from consumers. It limits when companies can call consumers, states that they have to stop contacting them if they are requested to do so "in writing" (with a written letter), and prevents them from using "threatening" (making one feel fearful for one's safety) language, among other things.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is another consumer protection act. It controls how consumers' credit information can be used. Certain companies have detailed information about how individuals use "credit" (money that is loaned to a person or organization), including whether they are good about paying that money back when and how they are supposed to. The Fair Credit Reporting Act limits who can "access" (see copies of) that information.

The Truth in Lending Act creates rules for "lenders" (organizations that give money to people and other organizations for a short period of time so that they will be paid back that money and more in the future). It requires "full disclosure" (a statement that contains all the facts) about how the loan is made and how much it really costs to borrow the money.

These are just a few of the acts that are designed to protect American consumers.