In response to Representative Edward Roybal's concern that aging organizations have used direct mail in a manner that might frighten, threaten, or coerce the elderly into contributing money or buying products from these organizations, the General Accounting Office (GAO) agreed to: (1) identify federal agencies with jurisdiction in reviewing the activities of organizations that use direct mail advertising; (2) identify federal statutes or regulations agencies may use to protect the elderly; (3) determine current activities of agencies to protect the elderly; and (4) determine agency educational activities to prevent possible abuses of the elderly. The GAO reviewed pertinent federal legislation related to protecting individuals from deceptive business practices; discussed with officials of the United States Postal Service, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Justice activities of their agencies relative to protecting the elderly; and reviewed agency documents concerning these activities. This report gives details on pertinent legislation, enforcement, and educational activities of the Postal Service and the Federal Trade Commission, and reviews briefly the activities of four other federal agencies: (1) the Food and Drug Administration; (2) the Securities and Exchange Commission; (3) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and (4) the Internal Revenue Service. Information focuses on the role and activities of federal agencies in examining or reviewing organizations that use direct mail to sell to or solicit from the elderly. (NB)