Commerce News & Announcements

December 23, 2024 — Salt Lake City, UT The Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Securities (Division) is pleased to announce that an additional $5.9 million has been distributed to victims of the Rust Rare Coins Ponzi scheme, as directed by the court-appointed receiver, Jonathan O. Hafen. This latest distribution brings the total restitution to nearly $30 million for those...

December 23, 2024 — Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Securities (Division) is pleased to announce that an additional $5.9 million has been distributed to victims of the Rust Rare Coins Ponzi scheme, as directed by the court-appointed receiver, Jonathan O. Hafen. This latest distribution brings the total restitution to nearly $30 million for...

Impersonation scams are on the rise. These deceptive schemes often involve individuals posing as trusted figures—whether government officials, law enforcement, trusted businesses, or even close friends and family—aiming to manipulate others into revealing personal information or transferring money. While people may be aware of these scams, some still fall victim to these scenarios because scammers are pros at leveraging fear...

[Salt Lake City, Utah] — The Utah Department of Commerce has won Ragan’s PR Daily Awards in the Public Service Campaign category. Ragan’s PR Daily Awards celebrates the top communications campaigns, events, initiatives, publications, and more that were instrumental in the success of organizations and clients. Ragan held a special award celebration on December 11 at the City Winery in...

The holiday season is full of cheer, but it’s also prime time for scammers! Stay safe while you shop with these tips: 1. Check the List Twice 📜 Before purchasing, verify the retailer’s website or app. Look for secure payment options and “https:” in the URL. 2. Spot the Scam Before You Click 🔍       Be wary of ads offering...

A First-of-Its-Kind AI Regulatory Relief Agreement for Utah With Teen Mental Wellness App, ElizaChat SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence (OAIP) signed its first regulatory mitigation agreement with ElizaChat, a company developing an app that schools can offer to teenage students to enable them to improve their mental wellness. The app aims to facilitate discussions around...

The Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) reports a rise in scam calls using spoofed DOPL numbers and letterhead  Salt Lake City, UT – The Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) is warning licensed professionals of an alarming scam involving impersonation and intimidation tactics. Recent reports indicate that scammers are making fraudulent calls to healthcare licensees using spoofed DOPL...

Happy Autumn, Over the past month, we have dedicated significant time to enhancing technology to improve customer experience and strengthen Utahns’ trust in the tech industry. I was recently named one of Utah Business’s Most Influential Women, a 2024 Women Tech Council’s Women Tech Award finalist, and the Utah State Bar’s Cyber Pioneer Award recipient. While I was proud to...

Call For Public Suggestions on Utah Office of AI Policy’s Next Learning Agenda Salt Lake City, UT—The Office of Artificial Intelligence (OAIP) is concluding its current learning agenda on the use of AI in mental health in Utah and has made its recommendations to legislators. To prepare for its next learning agenda, OAIP is seeking input from technology and other community...