DECA Hospitality and Tourism Cluster Practice Exam

The owner of the Bahama Gift Shop noticed a customer switching price tickets on a lead crystal vase. What crime is the customer committing?

1. Pilferage

2. Fraud

3. Phishing

4. Counterfeiting

The correct answer is: Fraud

The situation described involves a customer switching price tickets on a product, which is a form of deception intended to gain a financial advantage. By altering the price tags, the customer is committing fraud, as they are misrepresenting the value of the product to purchase it at a price lower than intended by the retailer. Fraud encompasses a variety of deceptive practices aimed at securing unfair or unlawful gain. In this case, the act of switching price tickets directly fits within this definition since it involves deceitful behavior with the intent to unfairly benefit from the transaction. Pilferage typically refers to the theft of small items, often seen in shoplifting contexts, but is not the best fit here as it involves directly taking items rather than manipulating pricing. Phishing relates to online scams aimed at stealing personal information, which does not apply to this in-person retail scenario. Counterfeiting involves the creation of fake items or replicas, usually related to currency or branded products, which does not align with the act of switching price tags. Thus, the action of switching price tickets constitutes fraud, as it exploits the retailer's pricing structure for personal gain.