Consumer fraud occurs when a consumer buys a product that does not perform as advertised, or purchases services that are not the same as they were represented to be. Laws exist to protect consumers from false or deceptive advertising (including false or untrue statements, or failure to disclose necessary information) and from unfair or hidden charges. Examples of ways consumers are defrauded include overcharged or undisclosed bank fees or other charges, false statements in advertising, or misleading or omitted information about the true nature of the product or service being sold.