What is considered a deceptive trade practice?

Deceptive trade practices are actions taken by businesses that are misleading or false, ultimately hampering fair competition and harming consumers. The correct answer identifies both scenarios as examples of such practices.

When a business offers discounts but fails to disclose the conditions associated with those discounts, it can mislead consumers into believing they are getting a better deal than they truly are. This lack of transparency can distort a consumer's decision-making process, which is a primary concern of deceptive practices.

Similarly, misleading advertising encompasses a broader range of potential abuses, including false claims about products or exaggerations of benefits. When advertisements provide incorrect or exaggerated information, they can deceive consumers into making purchases under false pretenses, which undermines the trust that is essential for healthy market dynamics.

Both examples indicate an intention to mislead or an omission of important information that can affect consumer decisions, qualifying them as deceptive trade practices under consumer protection laws.