The NGS Consumer Protection Committee was originally constituted as the Ethics Committee in 1993.

One of the biggest issues facing the genealogical community is the proliferation of mass-produced coats of arms and surname books, consisting mainly of lists of surnames but masquerading as family history. In the past, The Caveat Emptor column in the NGS Newsmagazine alerted the membership to the various products being addressed.

Products within the purview of the committee include family history books, surname products (plaques, articles of clothing, certificates, and similar products not yet developed), surname newsletters, and family archives.

Most of these products have very little genealogical substance and consumers are warned to expect little from such a purchase.

An item you may want to read on the subject:
PSST! Wanna Buy Your Name?