Idaho

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
954 West Jefferson, 2nd Floor
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2424/(800)432-3545
http://www.ag.idaho.gov/consumerProtection/consumerIndex.html
To file a complaint online, click here.
Idaho’s Laws
Here’s a snapshot of Idaho’s laws regarding deceptive advertising:
Idaho Code § 48-603: Lists a number of acts that are deemed deceptive trade practices, including, but not limited to, advertising goods or services with the intent not to sell them as advertised.
Possible Penalties
Some of the penalties that fraudulent or deceptive advertisers may suffer in Idaho include:
- Restraining order or Injunction (Idaho Code § 48-606(b) and § 48-608);
- Actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater (Idaho Code § 48-608);
- Up to $5,000 per violation of the law prohibiting deceptive advertising (Idaho Code § 48-606(e));
- The cost of reasonable attorney’s fees and investigative costs (Idaho Code § 48-606(f), § 48-607, and § 48-608);
- Revocation of license or certificate to engage in business in the state of Idaho (Idaho Code § 48-607(5));
Small Claims Court in Idaho
If you’re not trying to recover big bucks, but rather just trying to recoup the money you spent on a product or service after being duped by a false ad, then you might consider filing a lawsuit in Small Claims Court.
For general info about filing a lawsuit in Small Claims Court, click here.
For info on how to file a Small Claims lawsuit in Idaho click here.
Researching Consumer Complaints
To obtain copies of complaints consumers have filed against a business, you can send a Freedom of Information request to:
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
954 West Jefferson, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0010
A sample Freedom of Information request can be found here.
**Please note that this page is informational only and does not take the place of legal advice. Please also note that the above summary is meant to provide a brief look at the laws in Idaho, and not a comprehensive list.
The chief law enforcement official in each one of the 50 states; also refers to the person heading the federal government’s Justice Department
A court order that requires a person or company to do a particular act or to refrain from doing a particular act. Example? A court order prohibiting a company from using an ad that’s been deemed deceptive.
Compensation for losses that are proven to have occurred.
Money awarded in order to punish the wrongdoer.