Definitions of Unlawful Acts under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act

Definitions of Unlawful Acts under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act

Unlawful Act or Practice

Definition

Authority

Deception

“Deception is any method, act, use, practice, advertisement or solicitation that has the tendency or capacity to mislead, deceive or cheat, or that tends to create a false impression.–Reliance, actual deception, knowledge of deception, intent to mislead or deceive, or any other culpable mental state such as recklessness or negligence, are not elements of deception” 15 CSR 60-9.020

Fraud

“It is a misrepresentation for any person in connection with the advertisement or sale of merchandise to make any fraudulent assertion. — An assertion is fraudulent if the person intends his/her assertions to induce a consumer to purchase merchandise, and the person: (A) Knows or believes that the assertion is not in accord with the facts; or (B) Knows that he does not have a reasonable basis for his/her assertion” 15 CSR 60-9.100

False and Misleading Statements

“A seller shall not make a representation or statement of fact in an advertisement that is false or has the capacity to mislead prospective purchasers.” 15 CSR 60-7.020

False Pretense

“False pretense is any use of trick or deception, forgery, or false and fraudulent representation, statement, pretense, instrument or device with the intent to defraud–Reliance and injury are not elements of false pretense” 15 CSR 60-9.050

False Promise

“False promise is any statement or representation which is false or misleading as to the makerís intention or ability to perform a promise, or likelihood the promise will be performed.” 15 CSR 60-9.060

Half-Truth

“It is a misrepresentation for any person in connection with the advertisement or sale of merchandise to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.” 15 CSR 60-9.090

Misrepresentation

“A misrepresentation is an assertion that is
not in accord with the facts”
15 CSR 60-9.070; see Restatement,
Second, Contracts, section 159; Packard v. K
C One, Inc.
, 727 SW2d 435 (Mo.App.,
W.D. 1987).

Unfair Practice

“An unfair practice is any practice which—
(A) Either—1. Offends any public policy as it has been established by the Constitution, statutes or common law of this state, or by the Federal Trade Commission, or its interpretive decisions; or 2. Is unethical, oppressive or unscrupulous; and
(B) Presents a risk of, or causes, substantial
injury to consumers–Proof of deception, fraud, or misrepresentation is not required to prove unfair practices”
15 CSR 60-8.020

Concealment of Material Fact

“Concealment of a material fact is any method, act, use or practice which operates to hide or keep material facts from consumers.” 15 CSR 60-9.110 (1)

Suppression of Material Fact

“Suppression of a material fact is any method, act, use or practice which is likely to curtail or reduce the ability of consumers to take notice of material facts which are stated.” 15 CSR 60-9.110 (2)

Omission of Material Fact

“A seller shall not omit any material fact in an advertisement.” — “[A]ny failure by a person to disclose material facts known to him/her, or upon reasonable inquiry would be known to him/her.” 15 CSR 60-7.030; 15 CSR 60-9.110 (3)

Sources:

http://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/15csr/15c60-7.pdf

http://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/previous/15csr/15csr0611/15c60-8.pdf

http://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/15csr/15c60-9.pdf

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