deceptive advertising

You know better than to believe everything companies say in ads, but when it comes to claims about the healthfulness of foods and other products, the untruths can reach outrageous levels. The question is: What can a government limited by the First Amendment do to stop them?

The Food and Drug Administration today sent warning letters to the operators of three major mouthwash brands -- Listerine, CVS and Walgreens -- that claim their products prevent gum disease, when no scientific proof exists to back such claims. The culprits, all major household names, promoted...

POM Wonderful, maker of the punchy bordeaux-colored pomegranate beverage, is facing an FTC lawsuit that says it's been lying to consumers about the drink's health benefits. The suit comes days after the juice maker filed its own complaint saying the agency's new advertising standards impinge on...

Five electronic cigarette makers that promise consumers their products can help them quit smoking, lose weight and improve sexual vigor must drop their claims or show that the unapproved drugs they also sell as refills for e-cigarette cartridges are safe and effective. In warning letters sent to...

Skechers, the go-to brand for cheerleader sneakers, is facing a federal class-action lawsuit over allegedly exaggerating the health benefits of its hot-selling Shape-Ups line and reaping "millions of dollars of profit" through running misleading ads. The company is also the target of two other...

A leading manufacturer of artificial hips and knees agreed to pay the state of Massachusetts $1.35 million to resolve allegations that it marketed orthopedic devices without regulatory approval and, to boost sales, withheld patient safety information from health care providers. A complaint filed...

Pinnacle Security Group, which was accused of using deceptive door-to-door tactics to convince consumers to sign up for its products even though they had existing contracts with other companies, has agreed to change its practices and pay restitution to its New York clients along with a $150,000...

Online background checker Intelius duped hundreds of thousands of consumers through deceptive advertising tactics that earned it more than $50 million in lucrative commissions from third-party vendors, a two-year investigation by the Washington State Attorney General's office has found. The...

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has ordered Traveler's Insurance to stop airing what it considers to be a deceptive ad or face legal action. The AG says the ad is misleading because it gives viewers the impression they should purchase additional car insurance or risk losing their home because...

Two Phoenix-area auto dealers settled with the state of Arizona for $195,000 for misleading car buyers with advertising. An investigation from 2005 to 2009 by Attorney General Terry Goddard found false advertising by Steve Coury Automotives and Avondale Automotive. The state says the dealers...