Is deliberate deception to secure an unfair or unlawful gain. It is both a civil wrong (a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to remedy the fraud and/or recover compensation) and a criminal offence (a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by the government authorities).

The term that describes a duty that is enforced by a court and where non-fulfilment may incur a penalty.

A formal promise by one party (the guarantor or surety) to another party (the creditor) to accept responsibility of a third party’s (the principal debtor) debt, if that third party cannot or refuses to pay it.