Division of Consumer Protection Aggressively Pursuing Price Gouging Complaints

(For immediate release) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Since receiving an influx of reports of price gouging over the weekend, investigators with the Division of Consumer Protection are aggressively pursuing reports of price gouging in the State of Utah. “We applaud the outstanding work of our retailers at this difficult time,” said Governor Gary Herbert. “They are working overtime to …

Consumers Encouraged to Report Price Gouging

(For immediate release) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As part of the State’s response to COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, the Utah Division of Consumer Protection in the Utah Department of Commerce encourages citizens to report cases of excessive prices, commonly referred to as price gouging. “During a declared ‘State of Emergency’, Utah law forbids excessive prices on goods …

Beware of Investment Scams Using Coronavirus Fear and Uncertainty

(For immediate release) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Chris Parker, Interim Executive Director at the Department of Commerce, is urging investors to be wary of con artists seeking to capitalize on fear and uncertainty due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. “Con artists use any means available to increase their odds of taking advantage of their marks, and coronavirus gives …

Gov. Herbert announces Utah Department of Commerce Executive Director, Francine A. Giani is retiring after 35 years of esteemed public service to the State of Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – Gov. Gary R. Herbert announced today that Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, is retiring from her cabinet post after giving 35 years of prominent public service to the State of Utah. Giani led the Department through the administrations of five governors and held four different roles beginning with her career …

Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing announces new rules banning conversion therapy on minors have officially been filed with Utah Office of Administrative Rules

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that at the request of Governor Gary R. Herbert, the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) has officially filed the new rules based on H.B. 399, first substitute, to ban conversion therapy on minors in the State of Utah. The …

Utah Consumer Alert: Don’t let the Grinch ruin your Holiday Shopping

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 Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday retail events to keep consumers safe and informed when makingholiday purchases. According to the National Retail …

Utah companies receiving misleading mailers from “UT Certificate Service” directing businesses to pay grossly inflated fee for company’s Certificate of Existence which is already available for low cost from the State of Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code and Division of Consumer Protection have received multiplereports that misleading letters are being sent to Utah businesses instructing owners to pay $72.50 for a Certificate of Existence with the state that normally costs $12.00 each. …

Utah Consumer Alert: Phony Rocky Mountain Power call rings Bountiful Salon, scammer’s plot falls flat due to electrical service from local utility

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection has received a report that a Bountiful hair salon received a spoofed call allegedly from Rocky Mountain Power claiming their bill was overdue and they had 24 hours to pay before their power was shut off. …

State of Utah claims against Kathe and Richard Sackler survive Motion to Dismiss in Purdue Pharma administrative case

SALT LAKE CITY – Daniel O’Bannon, Director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, announced today that the State of Utah, Division of Consumer Protection will be able to move forward on claims brought against Kathe and Richard Sackler (“the Sacklers”), who were named in the Division’s administrative citation (or complaint) against Purdue Pharma in January 2019. The Division of …