Idaho

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
954 West Jefferson, 2^nd 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));

• Punitive damages (Idaho Code § 48-608).

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.