Is what i did a Fraud?

Question

I am scientists and a physician doing research on the affects of ageing in mitochondria. I also have a lab in my basement with equipment to carry out biological research. Many chemical companies DO NOT sell or ship to private residential houses due to the liability. So, what I do is the following, I asked for a "FREE SAMPLE" and they usually send me a small quantity of the substance. In biomedical research you do not need large amounts of a chemical so even the small amount would be enough. Because the company has a policy NOT to sell to private residential buildings, I tell them the name of my institution but when they ask for the address, I give them my house address so the sample comes to my house, and it does work.

Fraud is a material misrepresentation, in other words "cheating" or "tricking" someone into doing something that they wouldn't given the truth.

If worst comes to worst and cops show up at my house and search my place they can see that no drugs, poisons, explosives, etc. are being manufactured at all in my house!!

Question

Is it fraud what I did?? Could I be liable to some sort of charges for asking for the samples?? cause I did this MANY times and never had any problems

Thanks!!

Dr. R. MD, PhD

Answer 1

I would a Dr would know how to spell....

Answer 2

Do you use the lab in your home for the sole purpose of conducting research for the company that employs you?  IF so, you have not committed fraud.  However, if your basement lab is used for any other purpose, you are most likely breaking the law.

And as a scientist and physician, you should know the answer to this question.  Your story isn't credible.  

Answer 3

Usually, fraud cases are a little more serious than that.  The chemical companies already have a free sample program in place, so it stands they are happy to give them out.  They've already accounted for the cost of these free samples, so unless you are placing more requests than others might do, you aren't considered cheating, or defrauding the companies.  If worst comes to worst, your home address will be blacklisted, because they would know it's a private residence.    

Answer 4

I can't imagine anyone would do more than confiscate the items you recieved fradulently and hand you a bill. Your lab, on the other hand, might not be as understanding and might well consider such unethical conduct as both actionable and a dismissable offense.

Answer 5

As far as I'm concerned it's not, but then I have no present respect for man's laws.  I just follow them right now because it's convenient.

Anyway, I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes.  I trust myself.  I trust my abilities.  Nobody but me has the right to judge what I can and cannot do.  I have enough concern for my own safety to know what's right and not right for me to try to do, and I proceed according to that knowledge.

Kind of like credit card bills.  My habits haven't changed, but since the economy went haywire due to decisions made by people I have no control over, I ran out of money to pay bills, so they don't get paid now.  Credit card companies don't like it, but since those companies have more leverage and power with those who do make decisions that affect us all, I leave it up to the banks to recreate the conditions that would require the same amount of effort out of me to pay my credit card bills as I exerted when I first signed up for them.

Is what I did illegal?  No.  It's an unforseen circumstance out of my control, resulting in a breach of contract, as the bank put it.  I told the bank I was unable to pay, the put it down as a refusal to pay.  To me, they are in greater violation of decency than I am as they ignored my situation and made it look like I had plenty of money, but just decided to stop paying the bills.  Totally untrue.  I just refuse to take on three jobs to make more money when no decision I have made caused gas prices to skyrocket.

So my bills go unpaid, and I work the same number of hours as I always have.