While we’re always wary of deals that sound too good to be true, we generally assume sellers are telling the truth in their advertisements and product information. But what about sellers who use misleading tactics or make false claims about their products?
Referred to as “deceptive trade practices,†these tactics include things like overstating the benefits of supplements or vitamins, mislabeling a household product, or hiding a used car’s accident history. Luckily for Magnolia State consumers, there are laws to protect citizens from shady sales strategies. Here is a brief overview of deceptive trade practice laws in Mississippi.
Deceptive Trade Practices Laws
Mississippi is one of many states that have adopted the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act as part of its state code. Mississippi’s deceptive trade practices statutes are listed in the table below.
| Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act Adopted | Yes Mississippi Code 75-24-1, et seq. |
| False Advertising Forbidden | Yes Mississippi Code 75-24-5 |
| Who May Bring Suit | Attorney general, district attorney, county attorneys; injured consumers; no class actions Mississippi Code 75-24-15 |
| Remedies Available | Restoration of money or property: civil penalty up to $10,000 for willful violations; individual may recovery attorney's fees Mississippi Code 75-24-11; Injunction Mississippi Code 75-24-19; Misdemeanor: fined up to $1,000 Mississippi Code 75-24-20 |
| Auto Odometer Tampering Forbidden | Yes Mississippi Code 63-7-203; Violation is misdemeanor and punishable by fine up to $500 and/or prison up to 6 months Mississippi Code 63-7-209 |
Protecting Yourself Against Deceptive Trade Practices
While state laws prohibiting deceptive trade practices may provide some deterrent or legal remedy after the fact, it is also up to consumers to be on guard and avoid scams before they happen. To learn about local deceptive trade practices or to report a person or local business of misleading or cheating consumers, you can contact a consumer protection office in your area.
There are also federal resources, like www.consumeraction.gov, along with a number of nonprofits, like the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org and www.fraud.org, that can assist you with consumer fraud complaints, from online resources for filling out a fraud complaints, to information regarding which local, state, and federal agencies with which to file your complaint.
Mississippi Deceptive Trade Practices Laws: Related Resources
By their very nature, deceptive trade practices can be difficult to understand. You can consult with a Mississippi consumer protection attorney if you would like legal assistance regarding a possible deceptive trade practices or consumer fraud matter. You can also find more resources and information on this topic by visiting FindLaw's section on Consumer Protection.
