Deceptive advertising misleads buyers. The tricks range from outright lies to technically true statements that leave a false impression. A supplement claiming to cure a disease it cannot treat. A price tag showing a discount from a price never actually charged.

Regulators take these cases seriously. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission can fine companies, force corrective ads, and ban future claims. Similar bodies operate in most major markets.

Common deceptive patterns

• Hidden fees revealed only at checkout
• Fake testimonials and invented reviews
• Misleading before-and-after images
• Unsupported health or safety claims

The line between persuasion and deception is not always obvious, but intent matters. Regulators ask whether a reasonable consumer would be misled, not whether a lawyer can defend the wording.