Consumer in the United States
Consumer Racial Profiling in relation to Crime and Race
Consumer Racial Profiling is included in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime (1), beginning with: Consumer racial profiling (CRP) is discrimination in which consumers are suspected of criminal activity because of their race/ethnicity. Racial profiling in general has long been a concern for members of racial and ethnic minority communities. It is estimated that one third of the U.S. population is at risk of being victimized because they belong to a racial, ethnic, or religious group whose members are commonly targeted by police for unlawful stops and searches. While most of the interest has focused on the profiling of motorists based on race, there has been a gradual shift in attention to die profiling of consumers in the marketplace. This section first provides a general overview of CRP, followed by a brief comment on the prevalence and evidence of CRP.
Main Elements
Consumer Defined
Consumer rights and consumer protection law provides a way for individuals to fight back against abusive business practices. These laws are designed to hold sellers of goods and services accountable when they seek to profit by taking advantage of a consumer’s lack of information or bargaining power.
Types of Consumer Protection Cases
The most common kinds of abusive business practices occur when consumers are in particularly vulnerable circumstances. For example, when people fall behind on their bills, debt collectors are in a position to make life even more difficult by calling in the early morning or late night hours, making contact at a person’s place of business, and speaking to friends and family.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
In 1914, the U.S. Congress passed legislation creating the FTC, primarily in an effort to combat trusts and anti-competitive business practices. While the agency continues that effort, its role has since been expanded to cover a variety of consumer rights issues.
Consumer Rights Class Action Lawsuits
One problem facing consumer rights victims is the relatively small amount of economic damages they suffer as a result of a company’s improper conduct. When a consumer falls victim to fraud by purchasing a product or service that does not measure up to the seller’s promises, the consumer may suffer a loss equal to the amount paid, and perhaps some incidental expenses as well.
Learn if the people affected or interested Have a Consumer Protection Claim
If the people affected or interested believe a merchant has violated their consumer rights, it makes sense to speak with an attorney. the people affected or interested may be able to collect financial compensation, and send a message to the offender that abusive business practices will not be tolerated.
Resources
Notes and References
- Entry about Consumer Racial Profiling in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime