Misleading marketing harms consumers in several ways: It can lead people to make purchasing decisions based on false or exaggerated claims, resulting in wasted money and disappointment with the product or service. Such deceptive practices can also create unrealistic expectations, damage trust in brands and advertising in general, and potentially even pose safety risks if important information is omitted or misrepresented. Over time, widespread misleading marketing can distort markets, making it harder for consumers to make informed choices and potentially driving out more honest competitors who refuse to engage in such tactics.
Earth Rated’s “Plant-Based” Pet Wipes: A Chemical Lie TL;DR The Facts: A class-action lawsuit (Case 2:24-cv-09557) filed in California alleges that Canadian corporation 9199-4467 QUÉBEC INC., doing business as Earth Rated, has been systematically lying to consumers about its “Plant-Based”…
Investigative Report | Case No. 2:24-cv-01787 | Filed October 30, 2024 The Hidden Fee Inside Your Airbnb Travel Insurance Airbnb and global insurance giant Generali stand accused of secretly bundling unauthorized charges into travel insurance sold to Washington consumers, then…
■ Investigative Report | Consumer Fraud | Big Food Abbott Sold Parents Sugar Water and Called It Health Food for Toddlers EvilCorporations.com • Case No. 25-cv-377, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois • 49 min read Abbott Laboratories built…
Procter & Gamble’s Charmin: The $2 Billion Greenwashing Machine TL;DR The Lie: Procter & Gamble (P&G) markets its Charmin toilet paper as environmentally sustainable through its “Keep Forests as Forests” and “Protect-Grow-Restore” campaigns. The Profit: This marketing strategy helps P&G…
FleetCor’s Fee Machine: How CEO Ronald Clarke Engineered a Hundreds-of-Millions-Dollar Raid on Small Businesses TL;DR The Facts: The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint (Case No. D-9403) against FleetCor Technologies, Inc. and its CEO, Ronald Clarke, detailing a multi-year scheme…
Volkswagen Sold Cars With Defective Engines and Then Refused to Fix Them EvilCorporations.com • Civil Action No. 2:25-cv-00191 (D.N.J.), Filed January 8, 2025 • 42 min read TL;DR Volkswagen sold tens of thousands of 2022-2023 Tiguan SUVs equipped with an…
TL;DR During the COVID-19 pandemic, Womply (legally: Oto Analytics, Inc.) marketed a program called “PPP Fast Lane” to freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners, promising they would receive forgivable federal loans of up to $41,666 in as little as…
VEGAS.COM SUED: THE DIGITAL SHELL GAME OF HIDDEN FEES TL;DR The Accusation: Vegas.com, LLC is facing a class-action lawsuit for allegedly ambushing customers with hidden “junk fees” using a “drip pricing” model. The Misconduct: The company advertises one price for…
Costco’s Fish Oil Lie: The Supplement That Could Break Your Heart EvilCorporations.com • Case No. 3:24-cv-02156-JO-AHG | Filed November 18, 2024 | U.S. District Court, Southern District of California • 46 min read TL;DR Costco sells Kirkland Signature Fish Oil…
Best Buy’s Price Tag Lies: A Deceptive Scheme Exposed The Investigation: In Brief The Scheme: Best Buy Co., Inc. is accused in a class-action lawsuit of a “massive and consistent false discount advertising scheme” on its TVs and major appliances.…