False advertising is the practice of persuading consumers to purchase a product or service while inaccurately conveying their true worth or value. As a consumer, you have the right to what is called ‘truth in labeling,’ or the fair delivery of information necessary for you to make an informed decision before purchasing a product. Anything from complete misinformation to vague or misleading advertisements can be construed as false advertising, so it can be helpful to know exactly what to look for when shopping for a new product. 

"There are few particular techniques you should be aware of when trying to spot a false advertisement," said Seattle lawyer, John-Paul Gustad. "Bait and Switch advertising occurs when a business advertises a product or service they do not actually offer, so that when you come into the storefront looking for the item or service in question, you are bated into purchasing more expensive or completely unrelated items. High-pressure sales techniques are also considered to be an illegal form of advertising. This is a situation in which the customer is pressured into purchasing products they do not want or need." 

"Common forms of false advertising include deceptive form contracts, in which the contract contains fine print that is often overlooked but that makes enigmatic and obscure promises," said defense attorney, Mark Herman. "Artificially inflating prices to create the illusion of a great deal is another illegal form of advertising, along with failing to disclose the end of a promotional sale or the discontinuation of a product or service. Consumers are often entitled to monetary damages, and the business in question may be given an injunction to stop the advertisement or provide full disclosure of the advertised item."