Consumer protection refers to the laws designed to aid retail consumers of goods and services that have been improperly manufactured, delivered, performed, handled, or described. Such laws provide the retail consumer with additional protections and remedies not generally provided to merchants and others who engage in business transactions, on the premise that the consumers do not enjoy a sufficient bargaining position with respect to the businessmen with whom they deal and therefore should not be strictly limited by the legal rules that govern recovery for damages among businessmen. The overarching goal is to protect individuals and the interest of the public in general from unfair and misleading activity in business and commerce (such as false advertising and deceptive trade practices) and scams perpetrated by criminals (such as identity theft and pyramid schemes) that harm a substantial number of consumers.
Villa Park is a city in northern Orange County, California near Orange and Anaheim Hills that incorporated in 1962. It had a population of 5,999 in the 2000 census, achieving the status of the smallest city in Orange County by population (La Palma is Orange County's smallest city in area). Villa Park includes about 2,000 homes and the land is nearly 99% built out. The city is zoned for single-family residences; most house occupy half-acre lots. There is one small shopping center that includes a Ralph's grocery store, some banks, a pharmacy with a postal substation, a variety of stores and offices, City Hall and community room, and a branch of the Orange County Public Library. Three restaurants, including Rockwell's Cafe & Bakery, are located in the shopping center. Public elementary, middle, and high schools are operated by the Orange Unified School District. There are no public parks within the city limits. Many homes have pools or tennis courts, or both. Villa Park has winding streets, no sidewalks, nor any street lights. There are many trees and flowers planted that contribute to a rural, green ambience. Villa Park is an enclave within the city of Orange. Villa Park's geography is due largely to its unwillingness to annex land beyond Santiago Creek, to the east. The city of Orange annexed these lands around and beyond Villa Park.