What are “Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices?
Both Massachusetts and United States laws prohibit the use of “unfair or deceptive” practices by businesses. These practices are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission at the federal level and by the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection at the state level. Both the federal and state laws prohibit a series of specific practices and, in addition, prohibit any other practice that is determined to be unfair or deceptive to the consumer. These laws typically provide both for enforcement by the government to stop the practice and individual actions for damages brought by consumers who are hurt by the practices. This article will describe the kinds of actions that are prohibited by these laws and how consumers can use these laws to their advantage.
