fleecings
Shearings or scams
Fleecings are acts of swindling or defrauding someone, typically by charging excessively or stripping them of money through deception.
The term comes from the image of shearing a sheep—taking everything of value: The fleecings continued until regulators stepped in.
Each instance of being fleeced is a fleecing.
Deception for financial gain
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- conArgument against
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- ripoffFraudulent overcharge
grift · hustle · cheat · bilking · defrauding · duping · flimflam · sting
Forceful extraction of payment
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- gougingExploitative overpricing
- overchargingDemanding excessive payment
protection · squeeze · coercion · intimidation · profiteering · usury · predatory · exploitation
swindle
Deception for financial gain
ripoff · grift · hustle · cheat · bilking · defrauding · duping · flimflam · sting · bunco
shakedown
Forceful extraction of payment
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- gougingExploitative overpricing
overcharging · protection · squeeze · coercion · intimidation · profiteering · usury · predatory · exploitation · victimization
wool
Sheared animal fiber
shorn · merino · lambs · ewes · flock · shearer · woolshed · handpiece · crutching · lanolin
fleecingssquare deals
Honest, equitable transactions
ethical business practices · charitable giving · philanthropy · generosity · restitutions
fleecingsprotections
Measures preventing harm
benefactions · rescues · safeguarding · advocacy · empowerment
fleecingsgifts
Items freely given
donations · generosities · charities · benefactions · windfalls