Press Release from the Division of Consumer Protection.

FTC and Utah Division of Consumer Protection Suit Leads to Largest Consumer Settlement in Utah History

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) have reached a court-ordered settlement with Response Marketing Group, LLC and its principals, who have agreed to pay $15 million and are banned from selling money-making opportunities. The suit brought by DCP and the FTC alleged that Response Marketing used false promises to sell expensive real estate investment training programs. Additionally, two real estate celebrities, Scott Yancey and Dean R. Graziosi, endorsed the training and agreed to pay $1.7 million.

The W.I.S.E Consumer Checklist

As much as we want to help all consumers who have problems in the marketplace, the reality is that the Division of Consumer Protection can’t guarantee your satisfaction for every private transaction nor can we make business recommendations (for that, you can look at organizations like the Better Business Bureau or AARP). Our purpose is to stop deceptive and fraudulent …

Investigate and research.

Targeted Advertising: Research Before You Buy

Targeted advertising is a popular topic of online comment threads, memes, and a favorite punchline of late-night monologues. Your personal data tells a lot about you. This is concerning when you consider what scammers might do with it. There are many reasons personal information is highly coveted. The Division of Consumer Protection wants you to think about who’s targeting you …

Declutter Day 2022.

Clean out the Closets, Dispose of Household Items Safely at Declutter Day

Spring cleaning is underway, but before you just throw everything out, take some time to make sure you’re disposing of things safely and properly. A recent research study found that more than 39 million people fell victim to identity related scams last year. In many situations, people who have their personal information used in fraudulent activities don’t find out until …

A mom and dad with their kids sitting on their laps smiling.

Protecting Consumers Through Education and Enforcement

The Utah Department of Commerce’s mission is to “Strengthen trust in Utah’s Commercial Activities.” Our Division of Consumer Protection supports that mission by protecting consumers from commercial harm through education and enforcement. We want to make sure the consumers know how the Division of Consumer Protection can help. Here are the frequently asked questions the Utah Division of Consumer Protection …

Highway with semi trucks.

Supply Chain Shortages Making it Harder to find a Legitimate Deal

COVID-19 and related supply disruptions have made it hard to find and purchase some categories of goods. While many efforts are being made to resolve that situation, Scammers are using the supply crunch as a cover for scams. We hope that sharing some of the reports received by the Division of Consumer Protection can help you become aware of current …

Woman giving elderly woman investment advice.

Utah’s Division of Consumer Protection give a few tips on how to check out a charity before you donate

“Tis the season for giving.” This time of year, many are looking to give back. Whether you have a favorite cause to donate to, or are looking for a worthy one, the Utah Department of Commerce’s Consumer Protection Division is here to help. Our Division of Consumer Protection registers approximately 6,000 charities in the State of Utah. Any charity soliciting …