The home improvement store will pay out nearly $2 million despite refusing to admit any wrongdoing.
Home Depot has settled a civil enforcement claim over false advertising and other misleading business practices. The home improvement store will pay out nearly $2 million despite refusing to admit any wrongdoing.
District attorneys in California initially filed the complaint in San Diego Superior Court. According to the District Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles County, Home Depot allegedly duped customers into paying more than a product’s advertised price. Deemed a “scanner violation,” the product’s shelf tag would not ring the same at the register due to a pricier UPC code.
An attorney leading the case, George Gascón, called the settlement a “clear message” that these unlawful practices by large businesses will not stand.
“False advertising and unfair competition are serious offenses that undermine consumer trust and distort the marketplace,” explained District Attorney Gascón in the news release. “When companies engage in deceptive practices, they not only cheat consumers but also gain an unjust advantage over businesses that operate ethically and transparently. This settlement is a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and underscores our commitment to safeguarding the rights of consumers in our community.”