Pennsylvania UTPCPL - Consumer Protection
Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Fight Back & Recover 3x Damages.
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Violations of the UTPCPL
Unfair or deceptive acts are illegal in Pennsylvania.
Misrepresentation
Representing goods as new when they are used, or claiming they have qualities they don't have.
Confusing Sources
Causing likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to the source or certification of goods.
Fake Price Reductions
Making false or misleading statements of fact concerning the reasons for price reductions.
Warranty Fraud
Failing to comply with the terms of any written guarantee or warranty given to the buyer.
The Process
From harassment to compensation in three simple steps.
Free Review
We analyze your case at no cost
We File Suit
We take legal action against violators
You Get Paid
Receive compensation for violations
The Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) serves as the state's most powerful tool against business fraud. It exists to level the playing field between everyday consumers and deceptive businesses.
The law explicitly bans a wide variety of harmful acts, including a powerful "catch-all" provision against any "fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or of misunderstanding." Because this definition is so broad, it empowers consumers to fight back against nearly any type of dishonest business practice.
One of the strongest features of the UTPCPL is its damage provisions. If your rights are violated, the court has the authority to award you up to three times your actual damages (treble damages), as well as your attorney fees. This makes it financially feasible to hold businesses accountable, even for smaller financial losses.
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Who Can Sue Under UTPCPL?
To bring a private action under the UTPCPL, you must meet four requirements:
- Purchase or Lease: You must have purchased or leased goods or services.
- Personal Use: The goods must be primarily for personal, family, or household purposes (not business).
- Loss of Money: You must have suffered an "ascertainable loss of money or property."
- Causation: The loss must be a result of the business's unfair or deceptive method.
Is this happening to you?
You may be entitled to compensation of $500–$1,500 per violation.
Call Us NowCommon UTPCPL Cases
We use the UTPCPL to handle a wide variety of consumer disputes in Pennsylvania:
Auto Fraud
Dealers selling "certified" cars that have been wrecked, rolling back odometers, or hiding mechanical issues.
Home Improvement
Contractors who take your deposit and run, do substandard work, or use bait-and-switch pricing tactics.
Debt Collection
Debt collectors who use deceptive or harassing means to collect debts can be sued under both the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Pennsylvania UTPCPL.
Real Estate
Sellers or agents failing to disclose known defects in a home (e.g., water damage, mold) before sale.
Damages & Attorney Fees
The UTPCPL packs a serious punch when it comes to holding bad businesses accountable. If you successfully prove a business violated your rights, 73 P.S. § 201-9.2 allows you to sue for:
- Actual Damages: Complete compensation for the specific financial losses you suffered due to the fraud.
- Minimum Statutory Damages: At the very least, you are entitled to recover $100 if a violation is proven, whichever is greater than your actual loss.
- Treble (Triple) Damages: To punish bad actors, a judge has the discretion to multiply your actual damages by up to three times.
- Attorney Fees and Court Costs: The law allows you to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs. This means you do not have to let legal expenses stop you from fighting back.
Statute of Limitations (Deadlines)
Under Pennsylvania law, consumers have an unusually long time to file an unfair trade practice claim compared to other states. You have a six-year statute of limitations to bring a lawsuit under the UTPCPL, starting from the date the deceptive act occurred.
Important Location & Practice Notice
Legal Disclaimer: Hyslip Legal operates its primary office out of Algonquin, IL. While we handle state-level claims such as the UTPCPL, our attorneys also maintain a robust federal practice concerning nationwide consumer protection laws.
Justice for PA Consumers
The UTPCPL is a powerful shield. Let us wield it for you.
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