R152-1. Division of Consumer Protection Buyer Beware List Rule, R152. Commerce, Consumer Protection, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R152. Commerce, Consumer Protection

R152-1. Division of Consumer Protection Buyer Beware List Rule

R152-1-1. Buyer Beware List

Latest version.

(1) Authority and purpose.

(a) This rule is promulgated pursuant to:

(i) the Division's general authority as set forth in Utah Code Section 13-2-5; and

(ii) specific authority granted to the Division in:

(A) Utah Code Section 13-11-8(2); and

(B) Utah Code Section 13-15-3(1).

(b) The purposes of this rule are to:

(i) protect consumers from individuals and businesses who have engaged in and committed deceptive acts or practices, or have engaged in and committed unconscionable acts or practices;

(ii) supply consumers with pertinent information about the nature of deceptive acts or practices committed or engaged in by certain persons against whom the Division has taken action; and

(iii) encourage the development of fair consumer sales practices and wise decision making by consumers.

(2) Placement on the Buyer Beware List.

(a) The following circumstances warrant a person's being placed on the Buyer Beware List:

(i) failure or refusal to respond to an administrative subpoena of the Division;

(ii) after notification and opportunity to respond, failure or refusal to respond to a consumer complaint on file with the Division establishing a reasonable basis from which the Division may assert jurisdiction;

(iii) failure to comply with an order issued by the Division, including a default order; or

(iv) breach of a settlement agreement, stipulation, assurance of voluntary compliance, or similar instrument entered into with the Division.

(b) Failure or refusal to respond is evidenced:

(i) where certified mail, properly addressed, is returned to the Division as unclaimed or refused;

(ii) where the person who is responsible to respond:

(A) allows a compliance deadline, as set forth in a statute, rule, or in a properly served order, citation, or notice, to pass without taking action or communicating with the Division; or

(B) indicates to the Division that the person does not intend to comply; or

(iii) in any circumstances comparable to those set forth in this subsection (2)(b)(i)-(ii).

(3) Removal from Buyer Beware List.

A person whose name is included in the Buyer Beware List may qualify to have the listing removed by:

(a)(i) demonstrating that the person has had no complaints filed against the person with the Division for a period of 90 consecutive days after being placed on the list; and

(ii) complying with all aspects of the order entered against the person by the Division, including full payment of any administrative fines assessed;

(b) providing a sufficient response to an outstanding Division subpoena;

(d) entering into a stipulated settlement with the Division that:

(i) resolves all allegations raised by the Division in its action; and

(ii) supersedes any previous order issued by the Division in the action.