- False advertising: This is when a company makes false or misleading claims about their product or service. For example, a company might claim that their product will cure a disease when it has not been proven to do so.
- Bait-and-switch: This is when a company advertises a product at a very low price, but then tells the customer that the product is out of stock and tries to sell them a more expensive product.
- Pyramid schemes: These are investment scams in which people are promised high returns on their investment if they recruit new members. However, the vast majority of people who invest in pyramid schemes end up losing money.
- Identity theft: This is when someone steals your personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card number, and uses it to make fraudulent purchases.
- Phishing scams: These are emails or text messages that look like they are from a legitimate company, but are actually designed to trick you into giving up your personal information.
- Malware: These are malicious software programs that can be downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge and used to steal your personal information or damage your computer.
- Counterfeit goods: These are products that are made to look like the real thing, but are actually fake. Counterfeit goods can be dangerous because they may not meet safety standards.
Consumers should be aware of these potential scams and take steps to protect themselves. For example, they should never give out their personal information to anyone they do not trust, and they should be wary of any investment opportunities that seem too good to be true.