Unfair Trade Practice: Definition, Deceptive Methods and Examples

An unfair trade practice is a business practice that is considered to be deceptive, misleading, or otherwise unfair to consumers. These practices can take many forms, but some common examples include:

* **False or misleading advertising:** This is when a business makes false or misleading claims about its products or services. For example, a business might claim that its product is "guaranteed to work" when it is not, or that it is "the best on the market" when it is not.
* **Deceptive pricing:** This is when a business advertises a product at a low price, but then makes it difficult for consumers to actually purchase the product at that price. For example, a business might advertise a product for $10, but then require consumers to purchase a $50 gift card in order to get the product for that price.
* **Unfair contract terms:** This is when a business includes terms in its contracts that are unfair to consumers. For example, a business might include a term in its contract that allows it to cancel the contract at any time, for any reason, without giving the consumer any notice.

Unfair trade practices can be harmful to consumers in a number of ways. They can lead consumers to make purchases that they would not have made otherwise, and they can also make it difficult for consumers to get their money back if they are not satisfied with a product or service.

If you believe that you have been the victim of an unfair trade practice, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the laws against unfair trade practices. You can file a complaint with the FTC online at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.