Consumers don't always take full advantage of their legal rights when they suffer a loss due to a company's negligence and/or deception. Often, victims of fraud feel that it's their fault for being taken advantage of, or that they are powerless against a large corporation. But there are laws that protect us from false advertising, broken promises and businesses that simply don't deliver. That said, the law also limits how much time you have to launch a lawsuit. If a company or person that has caused you to lose money, you should consult a lawyer sooner rather than later.
Examples of consumer fraud include:
Unfair and deceptive acts and practices, like over-billing, not telling you the full costs upfront, or selling you one thing and giving you something else.
False Advertising
"Negative Option Marketing" (A business charges you for something, unless you make the effort to tell them you don't want it)
Fair credit reporting
Tax evasion schemes
Not obeying state or local law
Not abiding by their professional association's code of conduct