Cleveland Consumer Action Network 2015

Transcription

1 Cleveland Consumer Action Network 2015 College Video Contest Start Date: March 5, 2015 Deadline for Entries: July 5, 2015 Voting Period: September 5 to October 5, 2015 Announcement of Winners: October 2015 The Cleveland Consumer Action Network (CCAN) is a group of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and advocates that focuses on important consumer issues and provides useful consumer resources and outreach opportunities. In hosting the 2015 College Video Contest, CCAN seeks to engage university and college students in Northeast Ohio and to enhance their knowledge of consumer issues and consumer rights. At the same time, CCAN hopes to draw from the students creativity to help their peers spot, stop, and avoid scams. Checklist A lot of hard work goes into writing scripts, shooting scenes, and editing footage, but one thing is for sure: you want your video to be your best work yet. Before submitting your video, carefully review this Checklist to make sure you aren t missing anything! At Your Discretion, Choose an Advisor You are not required to have an advisor. However, we encourage you to find an advisor such as a professor in the college of arts or a friend who is an aspiring moviemaker who can give you guidance during your creative process. Your advisor can give you tips and direction but must not create the video for you. Page 1

2 Create Your Video Review the Video Topics and Descriptions on Pages 5-6 and then choose one of the following topics for your video: Identity theft Cybersecurity and online privacy and safety Responsible borrowing Scams affecting college students (e.g., student loan or scholarship scams, job scams, travel or vacation scams) After selecting a topic, use the Resources on Pages 7-9 to learn more about your topic and gather useful information for your video. As you create your video, keep the following in mind: Videos can be up to a maximum of 60 seconds of running time. Videos should be creative by including a theme or storyline and by casting live actors, animated characters, or a combination of these. Videos must include a call to action that encourages viewers to report consumer fraud to at least one (but not more than two) of the agencies or organizations listed under Call to Action Resources on Page 7 and must include the contact information of the agency or organization. It is up to you to decide which agency(ies) or organization(s) to include in your video. For example: If you think you re a victim of a scam, file a consumer complaint with the FTC by calling 877.FTC.HELP ( ) or by visiting Videos should motivate consumers to fight back against consumer fraud by providing at least three consumer tips for staying safe. Page 2

3 If you use statistics in your video, you must include correct references. For example: According to the FTC, identity theft was the number one reason for consumer complaints in If you use music in your video, the music must be licensed under the Creative Commons License or be your original musical work. If it is not licensed under the Creative Commons License or is not your original musical work, you must submit a grant of permission to use the music from the Copyright owner. Videos must not show any brands, names, logos, or other identifiers of actual products, companies, or institutions (public or private), except for those of the agencies or organizations listed under Call to Action Resources on Page 7. Videos containing vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate material, references, music, suggestions, or ideas (as determined by CCAN members at their own discretion) will be disqualified. All decisions made by CCAN members related to the contest are final. Upload an Unlisted Video to YouTube Visit to sign in and upload your video. During the video uploading process, select Unlisted under Privacy Settings. Videos uploaded without the proper privacy settings will be disqualified. Copy the complete URL or link to your Unlisted YouTube video and paste it in your Entry (detailed below). Double check to make sure the link is correct! Page 3

4 Submit Your Video by Sending an Entry You must submit your video entry by to Scott Smith at no later than 11:59 PM EST on July 5, Early submissions are encouraged. To be eligible, the body of the must include all of the following information: Contestant name, address, telephone number [If in a team, provide the information for all team members.] Title of video URL or link to Unlisted YouTube video If your video includes music, submit either (1) a URL or link to the website from which you downloaded the music or (2) a grant of permission to use the music from the Copyright owner. University/college name University/college address (city, state, and zip code) Advisor name, address, telephone number (if applicable) [If more than one advisor, provide the information for all advisors.] Choosing the Winners In August 2015, the Top Ten Finalists will be notified and must submit the following materials within seven (7) days of being notified: Video Upload your video by following new instructions to be provided. Application Form Contestants must complete an Application Form. Photo/Video Release Form Each individual who appears in the video must sign the Photo/Video Release Form. If an individual is under 18 years of age, a parent/legal guardian must sign the form on behalf of the individual. Page 4

5 Trademark/Copyright Form Contestants must complete the Trademark/Copyright Form. NOTE: Only the Top Ten Finalists will be required to upload their videos again and to submit completed forms. New instructions for uploading videos (different from the YouTube process) and the forms will be provided to Finalists when they are notified. To view the forms in advance, contact Scott Smith at From September 5 to October 5, 2015 (the Voting Period ), the Top Ten Finalists videos will be made available for public viewing at this designated website only: Winners will be determined by each video s total number of votes ( Likes and Shares ) done by 11:59 PM EST on October 5, Each Like counts as one (1) vote. Each Share counts as two (2) votes. Only the Likes and Shares done while in the designated website, and during the Voting Period will count. The video garnering the highest total votes will earn First Place and so on. Prizes will be awarded to the First Place, Second Place, and Third Place winners in October If a team wins, the value of the prize will be divided equally among the members of the team. Contest guidelines and prizes are subject to change at the sole discretion of CCAN members, with or without notice. 1. Identity theft Video Topics and Descriptions Identity theft occurs when someone obtains and uses your personal information (e.g., Social Security number, credit card number, bank account number, etc.) without your permission to commit a fraud. To avoid identity theft, consumers should obtain and review free credit reports from use complex passwords; shred important documents before disposing; be wary of suspicious s that Page 5

6 contain internet links; and use secure websites when shopping or banking online. Ohio residents who become victims of identity theft should contact the Ohio Attorney General s Identity Theft Unit for more information. 2. Cybersecurity and online privacy and safety Consumers of all ages use computers, mobile phones, and tablets to connect online. In order to stay safe, consumers should understand how to maintain security and privacy online. To do this, consumers should take advantage of security options (such as encryption and firewalls); enable various privacy tools, especially on social media; understand the importance of strong passwords; and limit information shared with others online. Consumers should also understand how to maintain safety online by protecting their computers against malware. For more information, visit 3. Responsible borrowing From before their arrival at school, college students are inundated with offers to borrow money. In addition to student loans, credit card offers for students are in abundance. What many students don t realize is that any missteps with respect to the money they borrow while in school will affect them for years after they have left the university. Using the resources below, create a video that explains how college students are at-risk for over-borrowing and how students might protect themselves from falling into a debt trap. 4. Scams affecting college students (e.g., student loan and scholarship scams, job scams, travel or vacation scams) Scammers don t discriminate when picking their victims. However, there are certain scams that affect college students (and/or their parents) more likely than others. Using the resources below, find out more about one of these scams and create a video that helps your peers spot, stop, and avoid it. Page 6

7 Resources We encouraged you to use the resources listed below to learn more about consumer topics and to do additional research. Call to Action Resources NOTE: Video entries must include a call to action that mentions at least one (but no more than two) of the following agencies or organizations, including the contact information. For example: If you think you re a victim of a scam, file a consumer complaint with the FTC by calling 877.FTC.HELP ( ) or by visiting Better Business Bureau is a private, non-profit organization that offers marketplace dispute resolution, BBB Business and Charity Reviews, and consumer education/fraud awareness. To report a consumer fraud, call or visit Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs protects and educates residents from deceptive selling practices and misrepresentations of the price of a commodity. To file a complaint, call or visit Federal Trade Commission is the nation s consumer protection agency. To file a complaint, call 877.FTC.HELP ( ) or visit Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center. IC3 accepts online complaints about Internet crime from the victim or a third party to the complainant. To report an online crime to IC3, visit or call the FBI Cleveland Office at Ohio Attorney General Office s Consumer Protection Section protects consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices. To file a consumer complaint or to contact the Identity Theft Unit, call or visit Page 7

8 U.S. Attorney s Office for the Northern District of Ohio takes in reports and allegations of consumer fraud, and in meritorious cases, refer them to the FBI for investigation. To report consumer fraud, call or Other Resources FTC Consumer Center offers useful consumer information, publications, videos, and other resources: The National Endowment for Financial Education is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to providing financial education: Consumer literacy for young adults: Consumer information about hundreds of topics can be found in the Consumer Action Handbook: The U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics of financial education is: Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves : The Consumer Federation of America is a nonprofit organization to advance consumer interest through research, education, and advocacy: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a federal government bureau whose mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans : The Identity Theft Resource Center is a nonprofit national organization whose mission is to serve as a relevant national resource on consumer issues related to cybersecurity, data breaches, social media, fraud, scams and other issues : Page 8

9 The STOP.THINK.CONNECT organization is a global cybersecurity awareness campaign to help digital citizens stay safer and more secure online: Stay Safe Online is an organization whose mission is to educate and empower a digital society to use the Internet safely and securely at home, work, and school: The Center for Responsible Lending is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that works to fight predatory lending practices. Find more information on credit cards here: and on student loans here: The Scam Finder is a resource to help consumers spot, understand, avoid, and report scams of all types: Sample videos: NOTE: The list above is strictly informational and does not imply endorsement by any member of CCAN. These websites are provided for educational purposes only. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Who can participate in the CCAN 2015 College Video Contest? All official participants, whether as individual participants or as part of a team, must be current students in at least one of the following institutions: Baldwin-Wallace University Case Western Reserve University Cleveland State University Cuyahoga County Community College Page 9

10 John Carroll University Notre Dame College Employees of CCAN member agencies and organizations, or their immediate children or dependents, may not participate in the contest. 2. How many individual participants or teams can enter from a university or college? There is no limit to the number of individual participants or teams from any university or college that may participate in the contest. A contestant may only be involved in one video entry, either as an individual participant or as part of a team. 3. How many members can be on a team? There is no limit to the number of members on each team. If a team wins, the value of the prize will be divided equally among the members of the team. 4. Do we need an advisor? No. You are not required to have an advisor. However, we encourage you to find an advisor such as a professor in the college of arts or a friend who is an aspiring moviemaker who can give you guidance during your creative process. Your advisor can give you tips and direction but must not create the video for you. If you retain an advisor, you must include your advisor s name and contact information in your Entry (detailed on Page 4). 5. How can we use the Resources? The purpose of this contest is to help students enhance their knowledge of consumer issues and consumer rights while learning to recognize scams. Participants are encouraged to use the Resources on Pages 7-9. Students are not limited to these resources and are encouraged to do additional research. Page 10

11 6. Do we have to use the topics listed? Yes. Participants are required to choose one of the topics listed under Video Topics and Descriptions on Pages 5-6. Any off-topic videos (as determined by CCAN members at their own discretion) will be disqualified. 7. How are the winning teams chosen? The Top Ten Finalists will be selected and notified by CCAN members. From September 5 to October 5, 2015, the Top Ten Finalists videos will be available for public viewing at Winners will be determined by each video s total number of Likes (counts as 1 vote) and Shares (counts as 2 votes) done by 11:59 PM EST on October 5, Only the Likes and Shares done at the designated website, and during the Voting Period will count. The video garnering the highest total votes will earn First Place and so on. Prizes will be awarded to the First Place, Second Place, and Third Place winners in October If a team wins, the value of the prize will be divided equally among the members of the team. The winning videos may be aired on the CCAN members websites and elsewhere. A special event may be held to recognize the winners. Winners and other finalists may also be recognized during National Consumer Protection Week in March Contest guidelines and prizes are subject to change at the sole discretion of CCAN members, with or without notice. 8. How do I submit my video? You must submit your video entry by to Scott Smith at scott@cleveland.bbb.org no later than 11:59 PM EST on July 5, Early submissions are encouraged. Your Entry must contain all required information listed on Page What forms do we need to submit with the video? Video entries submitted by must include all of the information listed on Page 4. If you are selected as a Top Ten Finalist, you will be required to upload your video entry and complete Page 11

12 the Application Form, Photo/Video Release Form, and Trademark/Copyright Form. New instructions to upload your video and the forms to be completed will be provided to you when you are notified that you are a Top Ten Finalist. 10. What is the deadline for submitting the video? All videos and entries must be submitted by to Scott Smith at scott@cleveland.bbb.org no later than 11:59 PM EST on July 5, Early submissions are encouraged. 11. Who do I contact with questions? Scott Smith at scott@cleveland.bbb.org if you have additional questions about the CCAN 2015 College Video Contest. Please type Question about CCAN video contest in the subject line of your . Disclosures All video entries become the property of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Cleveland ( BBB ) and may be used in whole or in part at its discretion. Video entries will not be returned. The BBB may grant, at its discretion, the use of videos by its designees in whole or in part. By entering the contest, all contestants agree to permit the use of their picture, name, and other personal information for publicity by the BBB and its designees. Any music used in a video must either be licensed under the Creative Commons License or be an original musical work of a contestant. If the music is neither licensed under the Creative Commons License nor an original musical work, the contestant must submit a grant of permission to use the music from the Copyright owner. Page 12

13 Video entries must not show any brands, names, logos, or other identifiers of actual products, companies, or institutions (public or private), except for those of the agencies or organizations listed under Call to Action Resources on Page 7. Videos must not contain material, references, music, suggestions, or ideas that are vulgar, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate (as determined by the BBB or its designees, at its/their own discretion). All contestants agree that all decisions made by the BBB, or its designees, related to the contest are final. All contestants agree that the BBB is the exclusive owner of the submitted material, including, but not limited to, the video entries. In the event the BBB shall not be deemed the owner, the contestants (and their legal guardians, if applicable) convey a universal, irrevocable, and exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, and/or broadcast the videos without payment or further consent. Winners additionally grant to the BBB all rights, title, and interest, including, without limitation, all copyrights and exploitation rights, in any media of their video without payment or further consent. By entering the contest, all contestants (and their legal guardians, if applicable) hereby agree that they may be required to enter into additional agreements with the BBB and its designees. By entering the contest, the contestant represents and warrants that: 1) all submitted material, including but not limited to the video and everything depicted in the video, is wholly original and does not infringe upon or otherwise violate any right of any person, firm, or entity; 2) he/she has all rights, licenses, permissions, and Page 13

14 consents necessary to submit the video in the contest in accordance with these terms and conditions; and 3) no person or entity other than the contestant has any right, title, interest, or arrangement to the video, including but not limited to music publishing agreement, recording agreement, production agreement, or any similar agreement. By entering the contest, the contestant agrees that the BBB may post his/her video, or any part thereof, on its website or other websites and submit it for television and/or other broadcast. The contestant agrees that the BBB has the right to modify, edit, and/or adapt the video as necessary as well as to reproduce it, and/or distribute it in whole or in part, without compensation or further notice to the contestant. The opinions expressed in the video entries are solely the opinions of the contestants and not those of the BBB or its designees. The BBB, or any of its designees, is not responsible for any videos provided by contestants that are deemed harmful or offensive to others. The contest is subject to all federal, state, and local laws. Void where prohibited by law. Eligibility All official participants, whether as individual participants or as part of a team, must be current students in at least one of the following institutions: Baldwin-Wallace University Case Western Reserve University Cleveland State University Cuyahoga County Community College Page 14

15 John Carroll University Notre Dame College Individual participants or teams may submit a video entry. All official team members participating in the video contest much be listed as contestants names in the Entry, although non-contestants may appear in the video. Only one video may be submitted per individual participant or team. Videos must be the original work of the participants. Any music used in a video must either be licensed under the Creative Commons License or be an original musical work of a contestant. If the music is neither licensed under the Creative Commons License nor an original musical work, the contestant must submit a grant of permission to use the music from the Copyright owner. Winners will be notified through . Each winner must submit a letter of acceptance within seven (7) days of the notice or the prize will be forfeited. Employees of Cleveland Consumer Action Network member agencies and organizations, or their immediate children or dependents, may not participate in the contest. Page 15