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The Federal Trade Commission is pleased to announce that Jessica Rich, currently a Deputy Director of the agency’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, will take over as head of the Bureau’s Division of Financial Practices. Ms. Rich will become the Associate Director in charge of the Division as of January 9, 2012.

According to FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, “Jessica Rich is exceptionally well-qualified. A 20-year veteran of the agency, she is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of privacy, data and identity protection, and emerging technologies. She has extensive experience in all facets of the agency’s practice. Americans will be well-served by someone as smart, fair and tenacious as Jessica.”

Recognizing her outstanding contribution to the agency’s mission, in November 2011, the FTC awarded Rich the agency’s highest award for meritorious service, the “Chairman’s Award.”

Rich served as the Acting Associate Director and Assistant Director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, Assistant Director in the Division of Financial Practices, and as a counselor to the Bureau’s Director.

Daniel Kaufman has been named to replace Rich as Acting Deputy Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Kaufman joined the FTC in 1998 as a staff attorney in the Division of Advertising Practices, where he litigated several false advertising cases. During his time at the Commission, he also was an Attorney Advisor to former Chairman Deborah Majoras and was the Chief of Staff of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The Bureau’s Mobile Team, led by Patricia Poss, also will move to the Division of Financial Practices as the agency increases its focus on mobile commerce and mobile payment systems.

The Commission wishes to thank Reilly Dolan for his exemplary service as Acting Associate Director of the Division of Financial Practices. Mr. Dolan will remain in the Division as an Assistant Director, joined by fellow Assistant Directors Thomas Pahl and Malini Mithal.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.