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.
Thompson Ridge, New York is a hamlet in the Town of Crawford, part of Orange County, New York, USA. It has the ZIP Code 10985, and is located along NY 302 south of Pine Bush, Crawford's main population center. It takes its name from the Thompson family, early settlers of the region. The houses of Alexander, Andrew and Robert Thompson still stand along 302. As its name suggests, much of Thompson Ridge is elevated, providing sweeping views of the Shawangunk Ridge over the valley of the Shawangunk Kill. A small downtown section, with the post office, is along Thompson Ridge Road just east of its junction with 302.