Driving a Lemon?

Have You Been Misled?

Understanding Deceptive Trade Practices and Your Legal Rights

Have you ever purchased a product or service, only to find out it didn’t do what was promised? Or discovered after the fact that key details were hidden or misrepresented? If so, you may be a victim of deceptive trade practices—and you may have the right to take legal action.

At Ginsburg Law Group, PC, we help consumers fight back against dishonest business practices and hold companies accountable under state and federal consumer protection laws. If you’ve been misled, defrauded, or taken advantage of, you don’t have to accept it. You can fight back—with the law on your side.

What Are Deceptive Trade Practices?

Deceptive trade practices are false, misleading, or unfair business actions that cause harm to consumers. These can include:

• False advertising or misrepresentation of a product or service

• Hidden fees or bait-and-switch pricing

• Selling used or damaged goods as new or “like new”

• Odometer rollbacks or failure to disclose vehicle damage

• Misleading loan terms, rates, or credit terms

• Selling defective products and refusing to honor warranties

• Unauthorized charges or deceptive billing practices

• High-pressure sales tactics that mislead or coerce

These actions are typically prohibited under state laws like the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) in Pennsylvania, and federal laws like the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Common Examples of Deceptive Trade Practices

🚗 Auto Dealer Fraud

• Spot delivery (yo-yo financing)

• Concealed accident damage

• Odometer tampering

• Falsely advertising a vehicle as “certified” or “one-owner”

💸 Debt Collection Abuse

• Misrepresenting the amount of debt owed

• Threatening lawsuits, arrest, or wage garnishment without legal authority

• Contacting you at work or after being asked to stop

🛍️ Retail and Product Fraud

• Selling knockoff or counterfeit goods as genuine

• Advertising products that don’t exist (“bait and switch”)

• Refusing to honor warranties or refunds promised at sale

🏠 Home Repair and Contractor Scams

• Charging for work not performed

• Using substandard or unauthorized materials

• Taking deposits and disappearing

Why These Practices Are Illegal

Deceptive trade practices violate laws meant to ensure honesty in the marketplace. Businesses are legally required to:

• Tell the truth about their goods and services

• Disclose important information about pricing, quality, and performance

• Honor guarantees, warranties, and return policies

• Avoid tricks or misrepresentations to induce sales

When a business breaks these rules, they may be held liable for:

• Actual financial losses

• Emotional distress (in some cases)

• Treble damages (three times your loss) under certain state laws

• Your attorneys’ fees and court costs

How Ginsburg Law Group, PC Helps Consumers

If you believe you’ve been the victim of a deceptive or unfair business practice, we can help you:

✅ Investigate and Build Your Case

We’ll collect the documents, contracts, communications, and evidence needed to prove the fraud or misrepresentation occurred.

✅ Identify Violations

We understand the legal requirements businesses must follow and know how to spot when they cross the line.

✅ Demand Compensation

We’ll negotiate directly with the business or file a lawsuit seeking damages, restitution, and injunctive relief if appropriate.

✅ Protect Your Rights

We represent consumers—not corporations—and we fight for justice, accountability, and compensation for those harmed by unfair practices.

You Have Rights. We’ll Help You Enforce Them.

When a business lies, misleads, or takes advantage of you, it’s not just unethical—it’s often illegal. You may be able to recover what you lost and hold the business accountable under consumer protection laws designed to protect people like you.

Whether you’re dealing with a fraudulent car sale, hidden loan fees, unfair billing, or another deceptive practice, Ginsburg Law Group, PC is here to help.

We are currently accepting UDAP cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

If you feel you have been the victim of an unfair or deceptive act or practice, contact us today for legal help.

UDAP cases are taken on a contingency basis at Ginsburg Law Group – which means we don’t get paid unless you get paid!