Final answer:
In the realm of real estate advertising, it's illegal to make false or misleading statements as per FTC regulations. Other options, such as using social media or including generic property descriptions, are not illegal if they remain truthful and do not deceive the consumer. Option C
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of advertising, particularly in the real estate industry, it's paramount that agents adhere to legal standards to avoid malpractices. Out of the given options, the illegal act refers to c) Make false or misleading statements.
This is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which checks factual claims about product performance in advertisements. While a certain amount of exaggeration is permissible, explicitly false facts are prohibited. Furthermore, advertisements are expected to honor the principle of Caveat emptor, which translates to 'let the buyer beware', implying that consumers should approach advertisements with skepticism and verify claims.
On the other hand, using social media for property promotions is a common practice today and is not illegal as long as the advertisements are truthful and not misleading. Generic property descriptions are not inherently illegal, but they must not omit material facts that would deceive a potential buyer.
Lastly, advertising without the seller's consent is unethical and could be against agency agreements, but it isn't directly addressed in the context of illegal advertising practices mentioned in the provided text excerpts. Option C