Consumer Protection Terms and Definitions

Telemarketer fraud
It’s important to know who you’re dealing with. If a company or charity is unfamiliar, check it out with your state or local consumer agency and the Better Business Bureau.

Counterfeit Drugs
Pay attention to packaging. Check for altered or unsealed containers, or changes in the packaging or label. If you know the size shape, color, and taste of the medications you take, you will more easily identify possible counterfeits.

Better Business Bureaus BBB
Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by local business members. The focus of BBB activities is to promote an ethical marketplace by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices, and by providing alternative dispute resolution.

CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a Federal Government regulatory agency The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products

Billing Error
Any mistake in your monthly statement as defined by the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Health Consumer Bill of Rights
Was developed by the federal government. This has been used as a foundation for many health plans, including the federal government sponsored health plans. Health care consumer's rights; Rights of the health care consumer

Travel Fraud
Pay with a credit card. Fraudulent travel operators take the money and run, and even legitimate companies can suddenly go out of business. Protect yourself by paying with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if the promises aren’t kept.

Closed-End Lease
A lease in which you are not responsible for the difference if the actual value of the item at the scheduled end of the lease is less than the residual value, but you may be responsible for excess wear-and-use charges and for other lease requirements.

SLAMMING
The term used to describe what occurs when a customer’s long distance service is switched from one long distance company to another without the customer’s permission. Such unauthorized switching violates FCC rules.

Small Claims Court
Small claims courts resolve disputes involving claims for small amounts of money. While the maximum amounts that can be claimed or awarded differ from state to state, court procedures generally are simple, inexpensive, quick and informal.