Deceptive Advertising Legal Recourse

Summary

Misleading advertising, such as listing a vehicle for $0, may violate South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. Document all evidence and file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. Consult an attorney to explore potential claims for damages.

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Consumer Protection laws
Consumer protection laws in South Carolina are designed to safeguard consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices. To provide specific guidance, could you clarify your issue? For example, is it related to faulty products, deceptive advertising, or another concern?
Deceptive advertising
Deceptive advertising is addressed under South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act (UTPA). Here are some key points:
- It prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce.
- Victims may sue for actual damages or $*, whichever is greater.
- Treble damages and attorney fees can be awarded for willful violations.
What specific deceptive practice are you facing?
A vehicle listed on Facebook marketplace was listed by an employee of the dealership for $* and the dealership says they will not honor. There were no listed fees or other charges listed beside the ad for the vehicle for free
Under South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act (UTPA), misleading advertising, such as listing a vehicle for $*, could be considered deceptive if it misleads consumers. You might consider:
- Documenting the advertisement and communication.
- Consulting an attorney to evaluate if it constitutes a UTPA violation.
Have you contacted the dealership to clarify or resolve this?
I asked the dealership about it and they did not honor
If the dealership refuses to honor the $* listing and you believe it was a deceptive practice, you may consider the following steps:
- File a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Retain all evidence of the ad and communications.
- Consult an attorney to explore filing a UTPA claim for damages.
Would you like guidance on filing a complaint?
yes
To file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, follow these steps:
- Visit their website: consumer.sc.gov
- Complete the online complaint form or download and mail it.
- Include all evidence, such as the ad and communications.
Would you like assistance navigating their complaint process?
yes
To assist you with filing a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, here’s what you can do:
- Visit **consumer.sc.gov** and select "File a Complaint."
- Complete the online form or download it to mail.
- Attach all evidence, including the $* ad and your communications.
Would you like further clarification on any part of the process?