What is false and misleading marketing?
False marketing, also known as misleading marketing, is the use of information in the marketing of products, companies or similar that is untrue. The use of false information in marketing is often employed with the aim of making a product or company appear more attractive and thereby generating increased sales.
False marketing is a punishable offence, and the Danish Consumer Ombudsman handles complaints from consumers about company behaviour, which may include the examples listed below.
Misleading and false marketing: Examples
Misleading marketing can take many forms, and it is a subjective matter as to when it occurs. One recent example of misleading marketing is Burger Shack, a Danish burger chain that was fined for misleading marketing. You can read more about it here.
Examples of false marketing:
- Misleading offers and advertisements.
- False product information.
- Incomplete information on a website, in store or similar.
- Illegal advertising for tobacco products or references to alcohol aimed at minors.
Read more on this page at forbrugerombudsmanden.dk.
A more concrete example of false and misleading marketing could be, for instance, claiming that a product has special health benefits and effects that it does not actually have.
