Unfair Trade Practices in India: What You Need to Know

When a business tricks you into buying something you don’t need, hides extra charges, or lies about a product’s features, that’s an unfair trade practice, a deceptive business act that violates consumer rights under India’s Consumer Protection Act. Also known as fraudulent commercial conduct, it’s not just unethical—it’s illegal, and you have real power to stop it.

These practices show up everywhere: a phone sold as "waterproof" that dies in rain, a gym membership with hidden cancellation fees, a fake 50% off sale that started at an inflated price. They’re not just annoying—they cost consumers billions every year. The Consumer Protection Act, India’s main law protecting buyers from fraud and manipulation specifically lists unfair trade practices as violations, and gives you the right to file a complaint in a consumer forum without a lawyer. You don’t need to be rich or educated—just informed. Section 55 and Section 60 of the Act give you clear paths to get refunds, replacements, or compensation if you’ve been misled.

Unfair trade practices often go hand-in-hand with deceptive advertising, when companies make false promises about quality, performance, or origin of goods. Think of those "doctor-recommended" supplements with no proof, or ads claiming a product is "Made in India" when it’s imported. These aren’t just marketing tricks—they’re legal breaches. And if you’ve been caught by one, you’re not alone. Thousands of complaints are filed every year in consumer courts across India, from Delhi to Kochi, over exactly these issues.

What makes this even more important today is how digital marketplaces have made it easier for bad actors to hide. Fake reviews, manipulated ratings, and clickbait deals are now common on apps and websites. But the law hasn’t changed—it still applies. Whether you bought from a local shop or an online seller, if you were misled, you have rights. The false claims, any statement that misrepresents a product’s features, benefits, or price are just as illegal online as they are in a physical store.

You don’t need to suffer in silence. The system is built for you. You can file a complaint online, track it, and get a decision without spending thousands on lawyers. The posts below show you exactly how to spot these tricks, what evidence to collect, and how to win your case—whether you’re dealing with a broken appliance, a fake service, or a misleading ad. This isn’t theory. It’s real protection for real people.