What is the main purpose of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act?

The Maryland Consumer Protection Act is primarily designed to safeguard consumers against unfair or deceptive business practices. This legislation aims to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and are provided with truthful information about products and services. The Act encompasses a wide range of consumer rights and establishes a framework for addressing fraudulent practices that can harm consumers, such as misleading advertising, false claims, and unfair trade practices.

By focusing on consumer protection, the Act empowers individuals to seek remedies if they are subjected to unethical business behaviors, thereby promoting a fair marketplace and fostering consumer confidence. This is crucial for maintaining a balanced relationship between businesses and consumers, ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions without being misled or taken advantage of.

Other choices, while relevant to various aspects of business law and consumer interactions, do not embody the core objective of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. For instance, encouraging new businesses relates to economic development, regulating advertisements pertains to marketing practices, and ensuring fair wages is focused on labor rights, none of which encapsulate the primary intent of the Act.