2014 Year of Omni Channel Consumer who will make holiday purchases from Thanksgiving Day through CyberMonday in store, on mobile devices and online with some transactions happening simultaneously”, Utah Division of Consumer Protection offers tips to Grinch proof personal and financial information

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 and Cyber Monday retail events to keep consumers safe and informed when making holiday purchases. TheNational Retail Federation (NRF) is estimating 2014 …

Phony Internal Revenue Services phone calls continue to harrass Utahns demanding money, account information with threats of jail time and fines

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Division of Consumer Protection continues to receive reports from Utah citizens called by con artists claiming to be Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representatives who are demanding payments with threats of jail time, fines and other punishments if their requests aren’t …

Utah Blaze ticket holders left empty handed after team cancels Arena Football League (AFL) 2014 season now eligible for refunds with Utah Division of Consumer Protection by filing claims before Septemeber 30, 2014.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection cited Turf Toe, LLC dba Utah Blaze for selling consumer preseason ticket packages and then failed to issue customer refunds after the team cancelled participation in the 2014 Arena Football League (AFL) season. Consumers are …

Division of Consumer Protection obtains Default Judgement against K-Street Advertising Inc., One Touch Media, LLC, Aaron Vincent Christner and Ryan Scott Jensen for $425K fine, and to permanent injunction from doing business in Utah.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection in partnership with the Utah Attorney General’s Office obtained a Default Judgment in Third District Court against K-Street Advertising, Inc., One Touch Media, LLC, Aaron Vincent Christner, and Ryan Scott Jensen for a combined judgment …

Consumers getting burned by Electronic Cigarette Companies says Division of Consumer Protection, Utah takes action against 3 marketers, issues Citations totaling $1.1M in state fines for violating consumer laws.

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 cited three “E-Cigarette”companies: OZN Web LLC, located inPhoenix, AZ, Sinless Vapor LLC, located in Heber City, UT and Vapex LLC located in Bountiful, UT for multiple violations of the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act …

Utah reaches $550M Joint State-Federal Settlement with SunTrust Mortgage Inc. over Mortgage Loan Origination, Servicing, and Foreclosure Abuses

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and Utah Attorney General’s Office signed onto to a $550M multistate and federal settlement with mortgage lender and servicer SunTrust Mortgage Inc. to address mortgage origination, servicing, and foreclosure abuses. “With today’s settlement in place, …

Oregon man ordered to pay $413K for defrauding Utah investors in elaborate foreign currency trading and Brazilian emerald selling schemes

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Securities Commission issued a Final Order against Jack Phillips, an Oregon resident, for conning Utah investors into several phony investment schemes involving travel cards, foreign currency trading, andimporting Brazilian emeralds for sale all while promising guaranteed returns of 300 to 500% with no risk to investors. The Final Order states Phillips violated Utah …

Securities Commission approves first whistleblower award for $15K since S.B. 100 Securities Fraud Reporting Program Act passed in 2011

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Securities Commission announced today that Commission members approved the Commission’s first ever whistleblower award for $15,000 to St. George financial advisor, LaMond Syphus, for his actions in reporting investment fraud to Division of Securities investigators which resulted in criminal charges. Syphus toldDivision investigators that a potential client, a recent widow, had come into …

Division of Consumer Protection reminds drivers to check out vehicles “bumper-to-bumper” before hitting road trips statewide this spring, summer

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah ‐ Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the UtahDepartment of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection is reminding the public to check out their vehicles, campers or trailers road readiness with a trusted mechanic before heading out of town. According to AAA Auto Club, 36.1 Million drivers are expected to travel 50 …

Division of Consumer Protection warns Utahns to watch for mudslide charity scams in the wake of massive Washington State Tragedy in Snohomish County

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 mudslide‐related scams seeking to take advantage of our community’s trusting nature following Washington State’s weekend tragedy. While no confirmed reports of mudslide charity schemes …