California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §13413: (a) It is unlawful for any person or other legal entity to make any deceptive, false, or misleading statement by any means whatever regarding quality, quantity, performance, price, discount, or saving

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to make deceptive, false, or misleading statements about commodities, motor vehicle fuel, or lubricants in sales, including misrepresenting quality, price, advertising falsely, or forging required records.

Read the full statutory text

(a) It is unlawful for any person or other legal entity to make any deceptive, false, or misleading statement by any means whatever regarding quality, quantity, performance, price, discount, or saving used in the sale or selling of any commodity regulated pursuant to this chapter. (b) The following misleading, unfair, or deceptive acts or practices committed or permitted by any person offering for sale any product that is regulated by this chapter are also a violation of this section: (1) Misrepresenting the brand, grade, quality, or price of a motor vehicle fuel or lubricant. (2) Using false or deceptive representations or designations in connection with the sale of motor vehicle fuels or lubricants. (3) Advertising motor vehicle fuels or lubricants or services and not selling them as advertised. (4) Advertising motor vehicle fuels or lubricants of a designated brand, grade, trademark, or trade name not actually sold or available for sale. (5) Making false, deceptive, or misleading statements concerning conditions of sale or price reductions. (6) Representing that the consumer will receive a rebate, discount, or other economic benefit and then failing to give that rebate, discount, or other economic benefit. (7) Except as otherwise permitted, selling a grade of motor vehicle fuel at more than one price and advertising only the lower price without advertising each of the higher prices in equal size numerals on the same advertising medium. (8) Placing letters, words, figures, or numerals on any advertising medium offering for sale any goods or merchandise, other than motor vehicle fuel, if the advertising medium may be construed by any reasonable person as advertising a price of motor vehicle fuel. (9) Forging or falsifying any records or documents required by this chapter or knowingly keeping, using, or displaying the false or forged records or documents.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.