False advertising

15 most deceitful campaigns.

Do advertisers reputation of the people involved are not the most honest profession. While most people know that you need a big wary of banner ads from companies about which they never heard, and that promise that with them you "reset ten kilos in a week, and without exercise," some large and respected brands as sin that lying to their customers.

And you have to be really stupid to believe them. The company Skechers once said that to get the same ass like Kim Kardashian, enough to buy a pair of sneakers. Others go so far as to sell their useless goods supported by the results of false research.

That's fifteen biggest liars.

15. Dr. Koch's Cure All treats all

In 1919, Dr. Frederick Filyam Koch released the drug on the market, which, according to advertising, treats "all human diseases, including tuberculosis" and cancer.

But when the other doctors in 1948, tested the drug, it became clear that glioksid - doubtful active drug component, which does not contain a virtually nothing but distilled water. Koch was treating cancer patients, most of whom died, was this medicine.

Although the Medicines Control Commission has a lot to run into Koch, she could not find enough evidence to press charges. However, in the late 1940s, Koch fled to Rio de Janeiro.

14. Classmates.com helps you find classmates

Prior to the era of Facebook polls people were signed on Classmates.com, which found their classmates and school sweethearts. In the end, the site introduced the "gold" membership, allowing users to communicate with their childhood friends via e-mail.

Anthony Michaels seduced by this golden Membership when Classmates.com sent him a letter stating that his "old friend trying to contact him." This proved to be a marketing ploy, so that Michaels gave to the site to court for advertising, misleading.

As a result, in 2010, Classmates.com has paid $ 9, 5 million - $ 3 per subscriber.

13. Airborne treats colds

Airborne positioned as a tool, "coined by a school teacher." But when it became clear that it was not carried out any studies that confirm the effectiveness of the fight means germs and bacteria, the drug earned a bad evaluation.

"It was so bad," - says David Shardt, a senior nutritionist from the center of the "Science in the Public Interest." In fact, from the Airborne colds as much benefit as and from the placebo or vitamin C.

According to the class action Airborne was supposed to pay $ 23, 3 million.

12. "scientifically proven" that these pills help to increase in the size of a certain part of the male body

And Extenze, Enzyte and men promised "a new sense of confidence." As a result of Extenze paid in 2010 to $ 6 million, and the head of Enzyte Steve Uorshak was sentenced to 25 years in prison for being robbed of their clients.

11. This face cream from L'Oreal you will look just as good as using Photoshop

The British Advertising Standards Authority banned the Society of this ad cosmetic product for what it is "over-exaggerated."

The same thing happened with the Lancom advertising featuring Julia Roberts.

And with advertising in which Twiggy advertised similar means of Olay.

10. This Taser treat AIDS and cancer

With regard to this invention, Dr. Clark made a number of absurd statements, one of which was the fact that the appliance is able to cure people of cancer and even AIDS.

In the book, Gould Clark "Treatment for all cancers," said: "All kinds of similar cancer. They are all caused by a parasite. The only parasite! It is the human intestinal fastsilopsis. By killing this parasite, you will instantly stop the cancer. "

The Swiss company in 2004 agreed to pay compensation to US citizens, and the director of the Drug Control Commission called this device "fraudulent."

9. This gas cleaner "purest"

In 90 years with Amoco launched a multi-million dollar campaign, claims that its fuel is environmentally friendly because it is more "crystal clear" than dark brown.

According to Mental Floss, "while the country was experiencing a revolution of purity." Even Pepsi released a "clean" drink.

But the statement Amoco has not been confirmed by any actual data, and the company was fined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

8. These sneakers will make you thin

Skechers hired celebrities like Kim Kardashian, they helped to sell fitness sneakers, arguing that for weight loss is simple enough to wear them. The FTC did not agree with this, and the company was forced to pay a $ 40-million compensation. It should not be a big surprise. Just the year before, also made the assumption that people are more likely prefer good clothes trips to the gym, Reebok claimed that clothing and footwear EasyTone line will help people lose weight automatically.

As a result, the company was fined $ 25 million, and anyone who bought the clothes line, got a chance to compensation.

7. Hoover dumped in the United States everyone who buys a vacuum cleaner

In 1992, Hoover promised the British that will pay a trip to America to anyone who buys any device of its collection of household appliances for 100 pounds.

It sounds too good to be true? And there is.

Hoover, knowing that it is not ready to give their customers a free ticket in the United States, extended the campaign, rather than minimize it. First buyers languished waiting for their prizes, and then began to write to the company one complaint after another. The Hoover hoped that people will get tired of it before will understand that there is no free tickets.

It ended up a parliamentary investigation and Hoover cost of 48 million pounds.

6. Vitamins One A Day prevent prostate cancer

The company Bayer was forced to pay a huge fine for its assertion that one of the ingredients of a vitamin complex - Selenium - prevents prostate cancer.

In fact, the study found that selenium does not help men's health, but also can cause the development of diabetes.

Lies Bayer cost of $ 3, 3 million fine in Oregon and Illinois.

5. These rice flakes will save your children from the flu

In 2009, Kellogg's big letters claimed that her rice flakes "to help support the immune system of your children", providing them with 25% of the required daily allowance of antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients.

The Federal Trade Commission has demanded from Kellogg's stop making dubious and unproven allegations. The company removed the phrase from the box and explained "While science and says that these antioxidants help to strengthen the immune system, given the public attention to swine flu, we decided to make these changes."

The year before, Kellogg has got into trouble with the FTC, saying, without any scientific evidence that the frozen mini-loaves raise the attention of children by 20%.

4. Nutella terribly useful

For those who were adept in President Reagan's belief that "ketchup - is a vegetable", he ran an ad of Nutella, which states that its delicious nut butter is a mandatory part of the children's breakfast.

However, the mother of 4-year-old child on the company filed a lawsuit and won her $ 3 million. Also compensation of $ 20 can get the people who bought Nutella between January 1, 2008 and February 3, 2012-th.

3. Another big advertising lie is that the dishes of fast food in the life look as good as on the posters. However, this poster advertises real "whopper" of BurgerKing

And Tako Bell.

And McDonald's.

2. The funds Listerine treat everything - from dandruff to bruises and cuts

In fact not. And it's obvious.

Since 1921, Listerine positioned their funds as a panacea, claiming that they can be used to cure everything - from colds and sore throats, to cuts after shaving.

This continued until 1975, when the FTC ordered the company to pay a fine of a $ 10 million, and a public apology. Explaining that "contrary to what is written in the advertisement, not the Listerine helps to prevent colds and sore throat, or reduce the severity of these diseases."

Listerine then reported that her gargle as effectively as dental floss.

In 2005, the court ordered the company to remove this ad. Although in 2010 the trial ended in nothing, advertising disappeared.

1. But the classics of the genre - this, of course, claim that cigarettes are good for you. In this old advertising "cigarettes from asthma," it said that smoking prevents damage to the bronchial tubes. Although cigarettes were not recommended "for children up to six years."