Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit against a global brand management company, alleging it uses deceptive “false urgency” tactics to manipulate online shoppers. The lawsuit targets the email marketing practices of the company’s apparel brands, which allegedly use misleading subject lines to pressure consumers into immediate purchases.
The complaint details how the company sends emails with subject lines like “LAST DAY” or “Hours Left,” implying a sale is about to end. However, the lawsuit alleges these deadlines are fake, as the sales are automatically “extended” or continue indefinitely. This practice, known as a “false urgency” scheme, is alleged to violate Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) by materially misleading consumers about the availability of discounts.
Why This Matters: Artificial pressure tactics are a form of digital manipulation. Consumers have a right to honest information about pricing and promotions, not manufactured emergencies designed to extract cash.