(7) No documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony produced pursuant to a demand, or copies thereof, shall, unless otherwise ordered by a superior court for good cause shown, be produced for inspection or copying by, nor shall the contents thereof be disclosed to, other than an authorized employee of the attorney general, without the consent of the person who produced such material, answered written interrogatories, or gave oral testimony, except as otherwise provided in this section: PROVIDED, That: (a) Under such reasonable terms and conditions as the attorney general shall prescribe, the copies of such documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony shall be available for inspection and copying by the person who produced such material, answered written interrogatories, or gave oral testimony, or any duly authorized representative of such person; (b) The attorney general may provide copies of such documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony to an official of this state, the federal government, or other state, who is charged with the enforcement of federal or state antitrust or consumer protection laws, if before the disclosure the receiving official agrees in writing that the information may not be disclosed to anyone other than that official or the official's authorized employees. Consumer Protection Washington is dedicated to educating and alerting the public on consumer issues, scams and investigations affecting residents in Washington Spokane blows out 10th-seeded Bellevue in physical game; Gonzaga Prep falls to Olympia, Sausage brings the small community of Uniontown together every year, even as some aspects of its annual feed change, VA Deputy Secretary stepping down after overseeing computer system rollout in Spokane. Email: customerservice@acb.wa.gov Phone: (360) 753-2586. The statues generally lay out consumers rights in the marketplace. The lawsuit claimed Value Village misled customers and gave them the impression that their purchases benefited nonprofit partners and that every time someone donated clothing or other goods, charities received a donation. Every contract, combination, in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce is hereby declared unlawful. CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT - MEDICAL SERVICES OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS UNDER 7 AND 5- CONTRACT FOR PREPAID MEDICAL CARE LIMITING PURCHASER TO SERVICES OF MEMBERS OF CERTAIN MEDICAL SOCIETY AS AGO OPINION TOPIC: CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT. Materials from a federal agency or other state's attorney general. It shall be unlawful for any person to monopolize, or attempt to monopolize or combine or conspire with any other person or persons to monopolize any part of trade or commerce. Consumer Protection Washington - Washington State It shall be unlawful for any person to monopolize, or attempt to monopolize or combine or conspire with any other person or persons to monopolize any part of trade or commerce. Love intends to fight this case vigorously. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has pursued the case against TVI Inc. since 2017. By December 1, 2022, and every five years thereafter, the office of the attorney general shall evaluate the efficacy of the maximum civil penalty amounts established in this section in deterring violations of the consumer protection act and the difference, if any, between the current penalty amounts and the penalty amounts adjusted for inflation, and provide the legislature with a report of its findings and any recommendations in compliance with RCW. This act shall be known and designated as the "Consumer Protection Act.". Washington Consumer Laws (a) Contain any requirement which would be unreasonable or improper if contained in a subpoena duces tecum, a request for answers to written interrogatories, or a request for deposition upon oral examination issued by a court of this state; or. Consumer Protection Act This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL Love also expressed surprise at the complaint, saying he hadnt seen it until a call from The Spokesman-Review asking about the lawsuit. WebCONSUMER PROTECTION ACT - MEDICAL SERVICES OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS UNDER 7 AND 5- CONTRACT FOR PREPAID MEDICAL CARE Spokane Valley tax preparer has misled clients that he is an Acquisition of corporate stock by another corporation to lessen competition declared unlawful, Attorney general may restrain prohibited acts, Assurance of discontinuance of prohibited act, Demand to produce documentary materials for inspection, answer written interrogatories, or give oral testimony. However, the degree is an expedited program that is for those who have no intention of becoming a practicing attorney, according to the schools website, separate from a four-year online program designed for people pursuing admission to the bar. ) His degree is from the Purdue University Global Concord Law School, an online program that is part of the Purdue University system based in Indiana. 1125 Washington St SE PO Box 40100 Olympia, WA 98504 (360) 753-6200 (2) Another state's attorney general, pursuant to that state's presuit investigative subpoena powers, the documents or materials are subject to the same restrictions as and may be used for all the purposes set forth in RCW, Any action to enforce a claim for damages under RCW, Action to enforce claim for civil damages under chapter, A final judgment or decree rendered in any action brought under RCW. Sec. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy, that they had disbarred Love from serving, She secretly traveled 2,000 miles for her abortion. The FCRA was amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. (ii) At least once every eight hours after learning that a youth receiving services or shelter under this section is away from home without permission, the shelter or organization staff must consult the information that the Washington state patrol makes publicly available under RCW 43.43.510(2). He accused the business of hiding its for-profit status behind a veneer of charitable goodwill.. Respected judges in Spokane County Superior Court have allowed him to appear as an attorney in several cases, the statement continues. RCW 18.27.350: ViolationsConsumer Protection Act. (6) If, after prior court approval, a civil investigative demand specifically prohibits disclosure of the existence or content of the demand, unless otherwise ordered by a superior court for good cause shown, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person if not a bank, trust company, mutual savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan association organized under the laws of the United States or of any one of the United States to disclose to any other person the existence or content of the demand, except for disclosure to counsel for the recipient of the demand or unless otherwise required by law. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Ohio Attorney Generals Office In the course of the deposition, the assistant attorney general conducting the examination may exclude from the place where the examination is held all persons other than the person being examined, the person's counsel, and the officer before whom the testimony is to be taken; (d) Any person compelled to appear pursuant to a demand for oral testimony under this section may be accompanied by counsel; (e) The oral testimony of any person obtained pursuant to a demand served under this section shall be taken in the county within which the person resides, is found, or transacts business, or in such other place as may be agreed upon between the person served and the attorney general. Through news releases, social media and scam tracker consumers can be on top of topical issues and alerts happening in their community. Thus, each of the States CPA claims must survive exacting scrutiny the Supreme Court says. Additionally, it gives consumers the right to seek damages, including actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney's fees. Read the Supreme Courts Opinion below or here. In the enforcement of this chapter, the attorney general may accept an assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice deemed in violation of this chapter, from any person engaging in, or who has engaged in, such act or practice. Personal service of process outside state. He said he believes the disbarment in the Colville Reservation tribal court was retaliatory after he represented clients from fuel stations challenging the tribes authority to tax them. (2) "Trade" and "commerce" shall include the sale of assets or services, and any commerce directly or indirectly affecting the people of the state of Washington. Unfair competition, practices, declared unlawful. WebLicensee Assessment Bond Time of payment. Such persons shall be deemed to have thereby submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state within the meaning of RCW, Nothing in this chapter shall apply to actions or transactions otherwise permitted, prohibited or regulated under laws administered by the insurance commissioner of this state, the Washington utilities and transportation commission, the federal power commission or actions or transactions permitted by any other regulatory body or officer acting under statutory authority of this state or the United States: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That actions and transactions prohibited or regulated under the laws administered by the insurance commissioner shall be subject to the provisions of RCW. What is the Washington State Consumer Protection Act? (4) Service of any such demand may be made by: (a) Delivering a duly executed copy thereof to the person to be served, or, if such person is not a natural person, to any officer or managing agent of the person to be served; or, (b) Delivering a duly executed copy thereof to the principal place of business in this state of the person to be served; or. Educating the public on 18 3.2 The Defendants have engaged in the conduct set forth in this complaint in King 19 County and elsewhere in the state of Washington. The Legislature has also enacted over 100 commercial statutes covering dozens of specific areas of the marketplace. (3) A contract for prepaid medical care limiting the purchaser to the services of physicians or surgeons who are members of a certain medical society is exempt from application of the act by the provisions of 17, since such transaction is permitted under the health care services act, unless the transaction violates Article XII, 22 of the constitution. WebConsumer protection act Unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Consumer protection lawyers handle a wide range of areas, including consumer fraud, product liability, false advertising, and other business "scams". Yes, an individual can sue a business for violating the Washington State Consumer Protection Act (CPA). Mr. To this end this act shall be liberally construed that its beneficial purposes may be served. Consumer Protection | Washington State The attorney general is authorized to receive criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data for any purpose associated with the investigation of any person doing any act herein prohibited or declared to be unlawful under this chapter. Intuit Inc., In the Matter of (TurboTax) The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against Intuit Inc., the maker of the popular TurboTax tax filing software, by issuing an administrative complaint against the company for deceiving consumers with bogus advertisements pitching free tax filing that millions of consumers could not use. The King County Superior Court ruled against TVI Inc. on three Consumer Protection Act claims in 2019, but that ruling was overturned in 2021 by the Court of Appeals. The Attorney General and private consumers can bring actions to enforce per se violations of the Consumer Protection Act. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to forbid the existence and operation of labor, agricultural, or horticultural organizations, instituted for the purposes of mutual help, and not having capital stock or conducted for profit, or to forbid or restrain individual members of such organizations from lawfully carrying out the legitimate objects thereof. March 2, 2023, at 4:32 p.m. Did Dioxins Spread After the Ohio Train Derailment? 1125 Washington St SE PO Box 40100 Olympia, WA 98504 (360) 753-6200 Monopolies and attempted monopolies declared unlawful. Fergusons letter warns that any gym failing to comply is violating the Washington State Consumer Protection Act, and will face legal action from his office, according to a news release Monday from the state Office of Attorney General. Feb. 28, 2023, at 2:11 p.m. EPA Opens Office Near Site of Ohio Toxic Train Derailment. Statutes | Washington State Midwest Could Add More Ethanol to Gasoline Under EPA Plan 6 7 STATE OF WASHINGTON KING COUNTY SUPERIOR Safeguarding Consumers | Washington State WebBoard of Accountancy. [, Upon petition by the attorney general, the court may, in its discretion, order the dissolution, or suspension or forfeiture of franchise, of any corporation which shall violate RCW, Personal service of any process in an action under this chapter may be made upon any person outside the state if such person has engaged in conduct in violation of this chapter which has had the impact in this state which this chapter reprehends. Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday. Personal service of process outside state. Heating oil pollution liability protection act: RCW, Immigration services fraud prevention act: RCW, Manufactured and mobile home installation service and warranty service standards: RCW, Motor vehicle subleasing or transfer: Chapter, Offers to alter bids at sales pursuant to deeds of trust: RCW, On-site sewage additive manufacturers: RCW, Pay-per-call information delivery services: Chapter, Promotional advertising of prizes: Chapter, Radio communications service companies not regulated by utilities and transportation commission: RCW, Roofing and siding contractors and salespersons: Chapter, Telephone buyers' protection act: Chapter, Water companies exempt from utilities and transportation commission regulation: RCW, Weatherization of leased or rented residences: RCW. Nor shall anything contained in this section prevent a corporation from causing the formation of subsidiary corporations for the actual carrying on of their immediate lawful business, or the natural and legitimate branches or extensions thereof, or from owning and holding all or a part of the stock of such subsidiary corporations, when the effect of such formation is not to substantially lessen competition. This means that if a consumer can demonstrate that a business has violated the CPA, they may be able to recover damages, including actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney's fees.
washington state consumer protection act