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34 Bald-Faced Lies That Worked Extremely Well

January 17, 2024

You’ve kinda gotta hand it to these ambitious numbskulls. They were put on the spot, and they bet it all on their ability to make the impossible happen (or at least appear to). I mean, they all got caught, eventually. But they must have felt invincible for a minute there.

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34

Taco Bell called oats a seasoning in their Seasoned Beef. A former employee filed a lawsuit against the company for misleading customers, since oats are a filler, not a seasoning. CRACKED.COM http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/taco-bell-social-media-emerge-beef-scandal/148675/ — Source

33

Coca-Cola marketed Vitaminwater by promising it would boost your immune system and help fight free radicals. When sued for making the claim, Coke responded that they were shocked that anyone thought their drink was healthy. No consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking that Vitaminwater is a healthy beverage. - Coca Cola's lawyers essentia defense wake up on tt er CRACKED.COM — Source

32

Verizon's coverage map ads were such misleading crap that AT&T sued them. No numbers were presented, and they didn't take AT&T's EDGE coverage into account. Verizon Wireless AT&T But more importantly, they're irrelevant. Cell coverage is a localized phenomenon that can vary from block to block. You can color in all the maps in the world, but if you're in the wrong spot, your cell reception will suffer. CRACKED.COM http://www. att com/gen/press-room?pid=14002 http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2009/12/you_lie_luke_wilson.html — Source

31

19 taxi companies are suing Uber Technologies Inc. for false advertising for claiming it has the safest rides on the road. MITH en M ST em The lawsuit claims Uber's driver background checks and trainings are less rigorous than taxi companies', making the claim ludicrous. Uber drivers don't have to take a safety course or written exam, and Uber doesn't perform ongoing background checks. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/03/1 18/taxi-companies-sue- CRACKED.COM uber-claiming-false-advertising-hurting-their-businesses/ — Source

30

Duracell's Ultra Advanced and Ultra Power batteries claimed to last longer than regular batteries. AAA New Nouveau DURACELL ULTRA ADVANCED LASTS EVEN LONGER DURE PLUS LONGTEMPS 'n Una Digital They don't. And Procter & Gamble had to pay $3-$12 to each person who could prove EO it they'd it FO bought one. RACELL ADVANCED ACELL ACELL DVANCED ACELL DVANCED DVANCED 8 Alkaline Balleries Piles alcalines CRACKED.COM http://topclassactions. com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settiements/ 10537-duracell-ultra-batteries-class-action-lawsuit-settlement/ — Source

29

In 2010, Kellogg boasted that Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies could boost kids' immunity. 1 مسجد - - - Kellogg's - Kellogg's - If 120 - A 2 - - - - RICE COCOA KRISPIES KRISPIES TOASTED NCE CUSA CHOCOLATEX SWEETENED RICE P&P GEREAL PoP SHAR 25% BAKY VALUE OF NOW HELPS SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S 25% NOW HELPS SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S ANTIOXIDANTS IMMUNITY DAAT VALUE Of IMMUNITY . MUTRIENTS ANTIOXIDANTS VITAMINS A NUTRIENTS A.B.CA , VITAMINS A,B,C& I NETWT 9 OZ. (255g) NET WT 16.5 OZ. The Federal Trade Commission called the claims dubious, and ordered Kellogg to knock it off. CRACKED.COM http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/04/kellogg-settles-rice-krispies-false-ad-case/ — Source

28

In 2013, Australian consumers noticed that Subway's Footlong sandwiches were shorter than a foot. 11 12 'SUBWAY FOOTLONG' is a registered trademark as a descriptive name for the sub sold in Subway Restaurants and not intended to be a measurement of length. -Subway Australia's Facebook page CRACKED.COM http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2013/01/subway-claims-foot-long-sub-is-in-name-alone/ — Source

27

Skechers claimed that its Shape-ups help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone the butt, legs, and abs. S Shape-ups In 2012, the FTC made the company pay $40 million to settle charges that it deceived consumers. https://www.ftc. gov/news-events/press-releases/2012/05/ CRACKED.COM skechers-will-pay-40-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-deceived — Source

26

A package of Top Ramen noodles is two servings. Nutrition Facts Amount/serving Amount/serving nah War DI Serving Tim 1.5 oz (42g/about %DV* Total Fat 7g de the es - - 11% Total Carbohydrate 26g 9% V2 dry mundle block and 1 tsp depending an your aby Saturated Fat 3.5g 18% seasoning mix Dietary Fiber 2g 8% Car Trans Fat 0g Servings Per Total Fat IN Sugars less than 1g INGREDIENTS: MOPE Calories OF ON CN TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE THE из YEAST 190 FOLLOWING POWDER RAMEN Container SALT EXTRACT MONOSODIUM GABLIC 60 CANOLA OTHIC POTASSIUM THAT 2 POWDER OIL GLUTAMATE, Cholesterol Vitamin Sodium DISODIUM PROCESSES CARBONATE — Source

25

РОМ Wonderful promised consumers they could cheat death by drinking pomegranate juice. The ads went on to say that the drink can help prevent premature POM aging, heart disease, WONDERFUL- 100% POMEGRANATE JUICE stroke, Alzheimer's, and even cancer. The Federal Trade Commission told the company to stop making those false and unsubstantiated claims. Pom argued that it was too much work to conduct clinical trials to support their claims. CRACKED.COM http://www.u waj com/articles/appeals-court-upholds- ftcs-deception-findings-on-pom-wanderful-1422633948 — Source

24

Olay beauty cream used a miracle product called Photoshop to erase the years from 60-year-old Twiggy. The retouching was so extensive that the Advertising Standards Authority, the advertising watchdog in the UK, banned the ad from magazines. wagen OLAY Olay is my secret to brighter-looking eyes. -Twiggy Olav Definity e http://archive news softpedia com/news/ CRACKED.COM this look of wrinkles and dark Cite Twiggy-Olay-Ad-Banned-for-Massive-Retouching-129924.shtml — Source

23

Nutella's claim that it's made of hazelnuts, skim milk, and a hint of cocoa earned it a lawsuit for false advertising. nutella FERRERO I EAFYE Ads that portrayed the chocolate spread as a health food prompted a California mom to sue-and win. Nutella's first ingredient is sugar. http://www.parenting.com/blogs/show-and-tel/caitlin-parentingcom/ CRACKED.COM mom-wins-class-action-suit-over-nutelas-misleading-ads-0 — Source

22

In 2012, Nokia advertised the image stabilization feature on its Lumia 920 with a fake video. The commercial featured a side-by-side comparison of video shot with and without Nokia's new phone. But it wasn't. The stabilized image was filmed with professional OIS OFF OIS ON equipment. The company issued an apology in its blog. OIS ON CRACKED.COM http://lumiaconversations.microsoft. .com//2012/09/06/an-apology-is-due/ — Source

21

Nivea's My Silhouette lotion claimed it could significantly reduce customers' body size. NIVEA NIVEA My Silhouette! Redefining Gel-Cream My Silhouettel - deliver BIO-SLIM COMPLEX COMPLE BIO-SLIM COMPLEX White 100 the of the body comment In 2011, the FTC stepped in and made the company stop making the claim, and fined them $900,000. CRACKED.COM https://www.ftc gov/news-events/press-releases/2011/06/ftc- settlement-prohibits-marketer-claiming-nivea-skin-cream-can — Source

20

In 2008, Apple launched the iPhone 3G by claiming it was Twice as fast for Half the Price. NEITHER of those claims was true. And when consumers complained, they implied that people would have to be stupid to believe their ads. iPhone 3G Twice as fast. Half the price. No reasonable person in the plaintiff's position could have reasonably relied on or misunderstood Apple's statements as claims of fact. - Apple's lawyers http://www.dailytech.com/Apple+inCourt+Case+No+Reasonable+ CRACKED.COM Person+Would+Believe+Our+Ads/article13583.htm — Source

19

18

In 2008, Wrigley's claimed Eclipse gum killed germs, and charged $10 a pack for it. WRIGLEYAS NOW WITH NATURAL GERM KILLING eclipse INCREDIBLY FRESH BREATH SPEARMINT 12 PIECES SUGARFREE GUM INCREDIBLY FRESH BREATH The company was sued, and wound up having to return the $10 to anyone who'd bought a pack. CRACKED.COM http://cosumerist.com/2010/08/06/get-10-because-eclipse-gum-pretended-it-killed-germs/ — Source

17

When a group of doctors called on Columbia University to cut ties with Dr. Oz for his questionable ethics, Oz responded, it's not a medical show. BLOOD Medicine show are (noun): a traveling troupe, especially in the late 1800s, offering entertainment in order to attract customers for the patent medicines or purported cures proffered for sale. SARSAPARILLA -Dictionary.com - NO PROO In response to criticism, the show has stopped using words like miracle, axondent and no SOFING longer showcases magical weight-loss cures. Autumn Mediaine CRACKED.COM http://www.nbcnews.com/health/heatth-news/dr-oz-responds-critics-its-not-medical-show-n347101 — Source

16

In 2008, Coca Cola launched an ad campaign in Australia claiming Coke doesn't contribute to weight gain, tooth loss, or obesity. messages about food and annier one day something - Myth. 'Coca-Cola' contained DONE for you and the need et DAT and that can CAP contuana cocaine once upon a time. /want my family N Nove good headh and adidas word Busted. Don't you just love this one Cocaine has never them 88 M been an added ingredient in the secret recipe of Coca-Cola non does . contain any other illegal substance All passion al need 111 Ze among of the — Source

15

Classmates.com suckered people into upgrading to gold membership by telling them their classmates were looking for them. It was such a baldfaced lie that the site was forced to pay out $9.5 million in CHICAGO damages to the people they duped. CRACKED.COM http://mashable com/2010/03/1 4/classmates-com-agrees-to-9-5-million-false-advertising-settlement/ — Source

14

A 2009 ad for Bayer Aspirin+C implied that it could prevent extinction. They would still be here if they hadn't caught a cold NEW PREMIUM DISNEY ASPIRIN - - - so YOU DON'T CATCH A COLD Democracy - Putting aside the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs, neither aspirin nor vitamin с prevents colds. http://www. adweek com/adfreak/aspirin-maker-has-new-theory-dinosaurs-14588 CRACKED.COM http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-fiu/cold-guide/vitamin-c-for-common-cold — Source

13

12

For years, Activia yogurt claimed it was clinically and scientifically proven to regulate digestion and boost immune systems. They also made a lot of noise about their active O ml PROBOTE 100m in - - - ingredient, Bifidus 0% DANONE Regularis, which turned ACTIVIA out to be a made-up term. NET DANCERS ГАТ - FREE - cause ACTIVIA Because of those claims, Dannon had to pay consumers up to $45 million in damages, and change its labeling. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/dannon-settles-lawsuit/story?id=9950269 CRACKED.COM http://whatisbifidusregularis.org/ — Source

11

Taylor said she wanted to be excluded from the narrative in Famous Swift but was called out for lying by Kim Kardashian via Snapchat. Kanye West apparently got Taylor Swift's consent to include her in his single through a phone call. Unbenkownst to Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian recorded the chat and posted it online. GRACKED.COM — Source

10

This all turned out ok, somehow

In her interview in January 2013, Miley Cyrus shocked the fans by saying she and Liam Hemsworth were married. That turned out to be a lie. Later that year, their PR reps confirmed their engagement was broken off. CRACKED COM — Source

9

Justin Bieber's Instagram post New jet for Christmas, and she's beautiful. made many believe that he'd bought the plane. The truth is, he only rented it for a Christmas trip. CRACKED.COM — Source

8

While auditioning for Elizabeth I, Eddie Redmayne led the director to believe he was an experienced horseback rider. Не got the part and the truth came out. Redmayne nearly killed himself trying to shoot his scene on the horse. GRACKED.COM — Source

7

You might have heard that Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment is a myth... but do you know who started it? BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIMSELF. Не made the whole deal up for dramatic (effect. GRACKED.COM — Source

6

GRACKED.COM Paris Hilton claimed that the selfie was invented by her and Britney Spears back in 2006. Paris Hilton Follow @PansHilton 11 years ago today, Me & Britney invented the selfie! 11:13 AM - 19 Nov 2017 BBC was quick to point out some examples of selfies that predated Hilton's by two centuries. — Source

5

GRACKED.COM tritreyspears R 66,747 likes britneyspears It's honestly too good to be true mmmm View all 2,064 comments ... Mexican Grilled Corn f P 31 Reviews Britney Spears Recpe courtesy of Tyler Florence was caught using a photo from foodnetwork.com passing it off as her own. — Source

4

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro claimed that the Petro, a government sponsored cryptocurrency, raised over 700 million dollars for its ICO on its first day on the market. Nicolás Maduro Follow @NicolasMaduro A grandes problemas, igrandes soluciones! Desde el primer minuto el juego arrancó bien, y arrancamos ganando: 4.777 millones de yuanes o 735 millones de dólares es el resultado inicial de las operaciones de intención de compra del Petro. When in reality it only raised $445... in total. 3 petro:presale 7 2018-02-20 08:00:36 445.95 0.05 GRACKED.COM — Source

3

Terrence Howard claimed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from South Carolina State University. Uh, no. It was an honorary degree as a commencement speaker. Не never attended SCSU. So why the lie? It could be that he was on the show promoting his new business venture: diamond growing. CRACKED.COM — Source

2

In 2014, Joaquin Phoenix went on David Letterman's show and announced that he had proposed to his yoga instructor and that they were getting engaged. And in less than 24 hours he admitted that it was all a lie during an interview with ABC News, stating that the reason he lied was so that the audience would like him. CRACKED.COM — Source

1

Rapper Bow Wow posted on Instagram that he was flying to NYC, and included this shot of a private car and jet on the apron. shadmoss Travel day. NYC press run for Growing Up Hip Hop. Lets gooo. I promise to bring yall the hottest show EVER. May 25th on @wetv Не was later spotted So this guy lil bow WOW is on my flight to NY. flying coach on a But on instagram he posted a picture of a private jet captioned traveling to NY today smh commercial plane. Не had posted a photo from a VIP transportation site. — Source

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