CONSUMER ALERT

• NCJ Number: 56586
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 0 pages
• Corporate Author: Wisconsin Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Publication Format: Informational Packet
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. THE KIT CONTAINS 137 COLOR SLIDES AND AN AUDIOCASSETTE. THE KIT CAN BE LOANED OUT FOR A 2-WEEK PERIOD FROM THE CORPORATE AUTHOR. IT IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE. SPANISH VERSION ALSO AVAILABLE.

Annotation

DIRECTED AT WISCONSIN CONSUMERS, THIS AUDIO CASSETTE AND SLIDE PRESENTATION REVIEWS COMMON CONSUMER FRAUD SCHEMES AND OUTLINES WAYS CONSUMERS CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM DECEPTIVE AND UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES.

Abstract

NOTING THAT MORE MONEY IS LOST EACH YEAR THROUGH CONSUMER FRAUD THAN THROUGH SUCH CRIMES AS ROBBERY, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND THEFT COMBINED, THE SHOW EXAMINES SEVERAL SPECIFIC TYPES OF CONSUMER FRAUD AND PROVIDES TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID FALLING VICTIM TO THEM. THE AREAS COVERED INCLUDE BUYING USED AND NEW CARS, RENTERS RIGHTS, DOOR-TO-DOOR SALES, HOME IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES, CAR REPAIRS, MAIL ORDER PRACTICES, DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING, AND CREDIT PRACTICES. IN ADDITION TO PREVENTION STRATEGIES, COMPLAINT RESOLUTION METHODS ARE ALSO NOTED, INCLUDING PERSONAL INTERVENTION ON THE PART OF THE CONSUMER AND STATE REMEDIES INVOLVING THE WISCONSIN OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION. THE STATE COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCESS IS TRACED. (KBL)