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