What are some of the most common deceptive business practices in New York?

What are deceptive business practices and how do they affect consumers?

Deceptive business practices are activities used by businesses or individuals to mislead the public into purchasing their products or services.

Some ways the public is misled by businesses include:

• False representation or advertising of product quality, quantity or source
• Omission of critical information
• Fraud
• Deceptive statements or guarantees
• Misrepresenting price
• Tampering with the product
• Bait and switch of the product

What are some common deceptive business practices in New York?

• Tampering with an odometer to better sell a vehicle
• Misrepresenting the nature of a business
• Misleading use of the word “free” and then adding on expenses later
• Claiming a product is new when it is used
• Advertising a product a one price and then selling it at a different price

When can a consumer sue a business for deceptive business practices in New York?

A consumer could sue, if:

• The violation occurred in the state of New York
• The suit was filed within 3 years of the last of deceptive business practice
• The deceptive business practice affected consumers
• The deceptive business practice was misleading in a material respect

A defendant may face civil and criminal liability for these deceptive business acts. The plaintiff may be able to recover as much as three times damages as well as attorney fees.

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