Commerce News & Announcements

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Real Estate Commission revokes Kyle Ashworth’s broker license for forging termite inspections, buyer signatures in elaborate FHA loan scheme

January 16, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Real Estate Commission announced today that an Order has been approved against Kyle D. Ashworth, of Vernal, for forging termite inspection documents and faking signatures of prospective buyers, in an elaborate scheme to illegally obtain Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans. During a hearing January 15, 2013, theCommission revoked Ashworth’s license based on testimony...

Division of Consumer Protection joins $2.1 Billion Multi-State and Federal Settlement for “robo-signing” misconduct by Ocwen Financial Corporation

December 19, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection has signed onto a $2.1 billion joint state-federal settlement agreementwith Ocwen Financial Corporation, et al along with 49 states attorney generals, the District of Columbia and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The settlement targets...

Retailers proclaim Thanksgiving Day the new Black Friday”, Division of Consumer Protection offers savvy tips to stay safe shopping online or in‐person

November 25, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah ‐ Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection is releasing its annual list of shopping tips ahead of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday retail events to keep consumers safe and informed. The National Retail Federation (NRF) isestimating 2013 holiday retail sales to hit...

Division of Securities releases Top Investor Threats to consumers, businesses

October 15, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Keith Woodwell, Director of the Utah Division of Securities, announced today that the Division has released a new list of Top Investor Threats facing consumers with its partner, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). The 2013 list examines offers, practices, and investment scenarios that are being aggressively marketed to those trying to build and...

Division of Consumer Protection asks wildfire victims to watch out for scams

August 21, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah ‐ Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection is asking the public to be on the lookout for possible wildfire‐related scams that may look to take advantage of Utah citizens’ trusting nature. While no reports of fire‐related charity scams have reached the Division...

Consumer Protection halts Michigan Company from sending fake records service notices to Utah businesses through settlement agreement

August 1, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah ‐ Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection signed a settlement agreement with Corporate Records Service (a.k.a The Mandatory Poster Agency), a Michigan company, whose respondents Thomas Fata and Steven John Fata sentdeceptive notices to Utah companies leading consumers to believe they had...

Fake nurse faces multiple criminal charges from S.L. County and Weber County DAs

July 19, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce and Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney announced today that a joint investigation between the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and Weber County Attorney’s Officehas resulted in the arrest and criminal charges against Kristina Marie...

American Physical Therapy Association meeting to bring $2M to Utah economy

June 21, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that annual national conference and exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) will boost Utah’s economy as attendees from around the country converge on Salt Lake City to learn best practices and innovations in physical therapy. The Utah Division of Occupational...

Consumer Protection warns “grandparent scam” still making rounds in Utah as elderly report fraudulent calls to agency

April 9, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection is warning the public that “grandparent scams” where callers try to trick a senior citizen into believing that their loved one is in trouble in a foreign country and needs money to be sent to...