Businesses with long-term service arrangements should not be allowed to advertise rates based on short-term discounts that expire. If they want to offer introductory discounts to get people to try their services--fine. Just quote the real price first.

FCC handles cable and Internet.

FTC handles "truth in advertising" claims.

That said, sales staff at every cable and Internet company I've ever dealt with, no matter how bad the service turned out to be, has always been very clear about pricing.

If you really can't make heads or tails of the sales pitch, just call.

I believe the FCC regulates ISPs and cable TV. The same FCC whose current head is a cable industry lobbyist. And the same FCC whose top positions are a revolving door for industry trade and lobby groups.

That's how they can get away with it.

Does the city have ANY authority over these "service" providers. This kind of fraud should result in prison time.

I'm looking at my current service at Verizon FIOS's website. FIOS is offering me an "upgrade" which they promote as follows:

"Total 1st Mo. Price $5.00 a month more"

Elsewhere on the page is a box, easily missed, that says "1 Included Discounts!" under which in finer print it says "Monthly Price includes $10.00 in discounts." OK sounds good. BUT there is a circle with a plus sign, again easily missed.

Clicking on this tiny circled plus sign reveals "$10 FiOS Quantum Credit for 1 Month"

In other words, the upgrade price is only $5 a month for 1 month, after which it is $15 a month-- 200% more.

How can they get away with this?