Consumer Fraud Act

Summary

Consumer Fraud Act - Provides that whoever, in connection with the sale or distribution of goods, services, or other property by the use of any means or instrumentality of transportation or communication in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or by use of the mails, with actual knowledge, engages in or offers or attempts to engage in an unfair consumer practice, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both. Sets forth the definition of "unfair consumer practice", including: (1) offering goods or services intending not to sell them as offered; (2) advertising goods or services intending not to supply reasonably expectable public demands, unless the advertisement discloses a limitation; (3) knowingly making false or misleading statements concerning the need for, or necessity of, any goods, service replacements, or repairs; and (4) representing that the consumer will obtain any rights, privileges, or remedies knowing that the consumer will not in fact obtain them. States that any contract or agreement which provides for the purchase of goods or services in furtherance of an unfair consumer practice is void. Grants the Attorney General of the United States, or the chief law enforcement officer or the attorney general of any State in which a prohibited act or practice occured, authority to bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United States to enjoin such act or practice. States that his Act does not affect the scope or applicability of the laws of any State relating to unfair consumer practices except to the extent that such laws permit acts or practices which are prohibited by this Act.

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Documents

2 official files

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 24 June 1975

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 12 February 1975

  Open at official source

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