Every business owner in Massachusetts and elsewhere wants their company to be successful. Every business owner wants their product or service to be the one that consumers just have to have or use. Advertising helps draw interest and attention to companies, but it is necessary to be careful about what is being put out there. False advertising claims are no joke and can cost companies a lot to resolve.
What does the Federal Trade Commission have to say about advertising? No matter how one advertises, whether it is on the radio, television, internet, social media, newspaper or with mailers, the advertisements must be truthful. What does that mean? It means they cannot be misleading. In some cases, it means there has to be scientific evidence to back up one’s claims.
False advertising is considered fraud. Those accused of it may face criminal and civil actions. A quick Google search will bring up a list of companies and the consequences they faced when successfully charged with false advertising. For small business owners, the fines and restitution payments can be enough to put them out of business.
Company owners in Massachusetts who find themselves at the center of false advertising claims can stand up for themselves in order to protect their companies. They can actively fight such claims, or they can seek to settle as quickly and quietly as possible. No matter how one goes about dealing with such claims, having legal counsel at one’s side may prove extremely valuable. An experienced attorney will be able to review the details of one’s case and help one pursue the course of action deemed most appropriate under the circumstances.
