| A | B |
|---|
| failure to plan | Not making shopping lists, spending plans, doing comparison shopping, etc. |
| failure to protect | Not securing personal information and property |
| failure to be informed | Not reading labels, fine print, contracts, sales offers, etc. |
| failure to communicate | Not asking questions, discussing purchases, saying “no” when needed |
| scam/scheme | A plot designed to trick someone; a deception |
| illegal | Against the law |
| lie/lying | To tell an untruth/the habit or practice of telling untruths |
| concealing information | Hiding information; hiding the truth |
| pyramid | A scam that usually involves a “get rich quick” chain letter, sending money to others in order to, supposedly, receive money in the mail yourself |
| chain letter | A letter asking one to send several letters with money in order to, supposedly, receive money in the mail yourself |
| high-pressure sales approach | Using extreme tactics to persuade a consumer to buy |
| vague offers | Offers that withhold certain details, expecting one to pay up front to get them |
| sweepstakes letter | States that one has won a valulable prize, but must pay a fee to claim it |
| lottery | Prizes awarded by chance after purchase of a ticket; very small chance of winning |
| earn-money-at-home offers | Offers that hinge on a consumer first purchasing something |
| condition | A stipulation or prerequisite |
| winning bid at auctions | A scam artist my notify you that you have the winning bid, ask for money, but never ship the item purchased |
| identity theft | Stealing one’s personal information to commit theft or fraud |
| media | Means of communicating---e.g., word of mouth, telephone, texting, emails, etc. |
| Federal Trade Commission | FTC; a government agency to assist consumers who’ve been victims of fraud |
| National Consumers League | Has a website where incidents of consumer fraud may be reported |
| Better Business Bureau | A local consumer protection agency |
| State Attorney General | This state office assists consumers who have been victimized by fraud |
