Consumer Fraud in the United States

An estimated 13.5 percent of U.S. adults – 30.2 million consumers – were victims of one or more consumer fraud schemes during calendar year 2004. Some of the top consumer fraud schemes are: fraudulent weight-loss products; fraudulent foreign lotteries and buyer’s club memberships; fraudulent prize promotions; fraudulent work-at-home programs; charity fraud and telephone scams. This book examines the epidemic of consumer fraud in the United States, whom is targeted and how to avoid becoming a victim.