Consumer+Rights+&+Responsibilities

=** "[|PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL]" - Dan Ariely **=

**__ Tuesday, April 23 - Friday, April 26: __**

 * // Task: Create a "Did You Know" video about consumer rights and/or responsiblities. The video needs to be 3:30-4:00 minutes in length. //**
 * // You will need to find, or use, interesting facts that we discussed in class or find on relevant website. Make sure the information is correct. //**
 * // Create visuals for your facts - don't just use text. //**
 * // Use MovieMaker to create the finished product. //**

A sample "Did You Know" video is linked HERE

This will be graded as a test.

**__ Monday, April 22: __**
So Now What?

Writing an email complaint letter [|Sample]

[|Complaint Letter]

Situations to choose from: 1. You just bought a pop at the convenience store and upon opening it, there was a bug floating in it. 2. The backpack you bought was supposed to come with a special sleeve for laptops, but it didn't. 3. You ordered concert tickets online, but when they arrived, all the seats were not together.

Supply any additional information to make the situation believable. Send to email to jgrams@hlv.k12.ia.us

**__ Friday, April 19: __**
View [|Consumer Scams and Rip-Offs] PPT


 * What is 'switch and bait'?

Watch this infomercial about the super-absorbent towel -- the ShamWow!

media type="custom" key="22773510"


 * Does the ShamWow actually hold 20 times its weight in liquid?

//**__ Assignment: __**// Using these "as seen on TV" products: [|Wax Vac] [|Ab Belt] [|Topsy Turvy] [|Flex Steel]

Decide whether you would recommend them using the following criteria: Share with jgrams@hlv.k12.ia.us
 * 1. Examine the infomerical.** Does anything look digitally added. Has the picture been enlarded to show detail?
 * 2. Decide whether or not it's realistic.**
 * 3. Get opinions.** You may be offered a 30 day money back guarantee, but look at all reviews and decide for yourself. Be a smart consumer!
 * 4. Find out all that they offer**. "But wait, there's more!" That's a common quote in infomericals. They tell you if you call in the next 10 minutes you'll get something else free, just pay processing and handling. But what if you don't want the extra item?
 * 5. What's the price?** the most common price is $19.99, but they may say "just 7 easy payments of ....!" What is the actuall price you pay?
 * 6. What's the value?** Many informercials will tell you it's worth a larger sum of money and they reduced it for you.
 * 7. Decide whether it's worth it.**

**__ Thursday, April 18: __**
Use the following websites to answer the questions:

1. U.S. Postal Service - research mail fraud 2. U. S. Department of Justice's Fraud Section - email and other Internet fraud; telemarketing fraud 3. U. S. Federal Trade Commission - avoiding credit card and charge card fraud

a. How does each type of fraud work? Give an example of each. b. What are some ways people can avoid falling victim to each type of fraud? c. What target population is each tpe of fraud directed at? d. For each targeted group, what is the important "take home" message about avoiding each type of fraud?

Create a single page informational handout that could be used as a reference on these types of fraud.

**__ Wednesday, April 17: __**
1. What is Check 21? 2. On your bank statement, how can you tell the check was proc3ssed by an electronic fund transfer? 3. What is ACH? 4. True or False: Cashier's checks and money orders are safe forms of payment because they are paid for in advance by the person sending them. 5.FRAUD AWARENESS -- What is 419? 6. Who, or what, is a "mugu"? 7. What is "phishing"? 8. What is "spoofing"? 9. How does "scambaiting" work?
 * Research:**

//**__ Assignment: __**// 1. Read the article "[|Online Swindlers, Called 'Phishers,' Lure Unwary]" to answer the following questions: a. What is "phishing"? Give some examples cited in the article. b. According to government officials and private investigators, who are the most likely groups behine most phishing attempts? c. How is fraudulent email spread that makes it so difficult to track? d. Do federal investigators think Helen Carr is a typical phisher? Why or why not? e. According to Christopher Wray, what is the single biggest type of consumer fraud? f. According to the article, why is it often difficult to tell the difference between a legitimate and fraudulent email? g. What are some ways phishers try to hook unwary recipients, according to the article? h. What are some technological solutions attempted by Microsoft, eBay and PayPal? i. How effective are these solutions, according to Howard Schmidt of eBary? j. What other solutions are helpful, according to the article?

2. Using the [|USA Today] site, find an article on consumer scams and/or consumer rights. Use proper article submission format. Share with jgrams@hlv.k12.ia.us. Due before the beginning of Thursday class.

3. Identify one monopoly (business-related)

**__ Tuesday, April 16: __**
Intro to Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
 * [|Consumer Rights and Responsibilities] PPT

You will go to the mall and visit several stores in each area: Visit the [|East Terrace]to learn about bogus modeling offers, “free” vacations, “miracle” products, and tip-offs to rip-offs.

Visit the [|West Terrace] to learn about advertising techniques, target marketing, suspicious claims, and more.

Visit the[| Food Court] to learn about business competition, supply and demand, the history of the FTC, and mergers and monopolies.

Summarize how each makes you a smarter consumer. Share with jgrams@hlv.k12.ia.us

//__** Assignment: **__// What do Bernie Madoff and Harold Hill of 'The Music Man' have in common? Explain what each has done to make this connection. Share with jgrams@hlv.k12.ia.us

**__ Monday, April 15: __**
Intro to Consumer Rights and Responsibilities 1. Explain/Define in your own words. Be ready to discuss in class.
 * TEST (Marriage, Wills, Death, etc.)**
 * Better Business Bureau
 * Bureau of Consumer Protections
 * caveat emptor (Let the Buyer Beware)
 * Child Safety Protection Act
 * collusion
 * Consumer Product Safety Commission
 * consumer responsibility
 * consumer rights
 * Environmental Proection Agency
 * Fair Credit Billing Act
 * Federal Trade Commission
 * Food and Drug Administration
 * Lemon Law
 * Meat Inspection Act
 * Poision Prevention Packaging Act
 * Pure food and Drug Act
 * price fixing
 * redress
 * Securities and Exchange Commission
 * United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protections
 * United States Department of Agriculuture