Fraud by Business

Fraud on Consumers

    Originally the law of the United States, inherited from England, did not go very far to protect the consumer.  The legal maxim was "buyer beware" and the general feeling that it was the duty of the buyer to investigate and be careful.  The law only protected a buyer if the defect was intentionally hidden or the facts of the case shocked the judge.  The "consumer protection" law was primarily created by the judges using the precedent of other reported cases.

    As society in the United States changed and became more urbanized, the skill of the buyer decreased.  It was easier to sell tainted meat to the city folks than to a farmer.  As the buyers complained to the legislators, consumer protection laws developed.  Some are specific to industries, like the automobile lemon law, and others are more general.

    Both Washington and Oregon have detailed consumer protection laws. 

Types of Fraud on Consumers

	Automobile Sales
	Consumer Protection Cases
	Contractor Fraud & Issues
	"Unfairness" in Consumer Protection
	Washington Consumer Protection Laws
	Should I sue? Collectability