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Violations of the MA 93A Consumer Protection Law
According to Chapter 93A of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Law, deceptive or unfair business practices are a violation of the law. This raises the question of the definition of deceptive and unfair. In court, deceptive and unfair acts are not limited to breach of warranty conditions and contract negligence. Defamation, harassment, and invasion of privacy can all be categorized as unfair, provided the actions occurred in a consumer-business relationship setting. Deception, unfair means of competition, and fraud are also violations of the statute. In claims of unfair means of competition, one has to show conduct that harms the entire market and not a single business or consumer.
Some actions naturally violate Chapter 93A. Such activities include illegal landlord-tenant acts, sale tactics, and methods of debt collection.
Apart from these listed violations, the law does not specify the boundaries of illegal conduct. This aspect of the law is frustrating since other violations are determined on a case-by-case basis. One source has indicated that the positive aspect of the statute’s inconclusive definitions is that it protects the undefined standards of fair dealing that the community may develop over time.
Examples of Violations of Chapter 93A
While violations are determined on a case-by-case basis, some examples of deceptive or unfair practices occur when:
- A business asks for higher rates than the advertised, published, or marked price.
- A business does not post its refund/return policy where it is visible or can be easily understood.
- A business fails to honor its warranty terms.
- A business misleads you or does not inform you about relevant information affecting a product or service.
- A business applies the “Bait and Switch” method of advertising. In this method, the seller pretends to be willing to sell an advertised item for an affordable price or attractive terms when in fact they are using the advertised item as bait. When the consumer expresses interest, the seller persuades them to buy another highly priced item with less favorable terms.
Differences between Individual and Business Rights
There is a distinction between the protections afforded by the law with regard to businesses and individuals.
Section 9 of the law has provisions for individual claimants. To prove a claim, a consumer must demonstrate:
- That he/she sent a comprehensive 30-day demand letter.
- That he/she is a consumer- a person involved in commerce specifically for family, household or personal reasons.
- That the at-fault party’s actions were deceptive or unfair.
- That the at-fault party’s actions led to a loss of property or money, personal or real to the consumer.
Courts award individual claimants who satisfy the above conditions with actual or compensatory damages. Multiple damages (double or treble) may be awarded to a claimant if they can show that (1) the at-fault party knowingly and willfully acted against the standards set out in Chapter 93A or (2) the at-fault party refused to compensate the claimant in bad faith knowingly or with sufficient reasons to know that his actions went against the provisions of Chapter 93A.
Section 11 of the law has provisions for business claimants. To prove a claim, any business suing another business should demonstrate that:
- They are a business- an entity involved in any act of commerce or trade.
- The at-fault party was involved in deceptive or unfair practices or unfair methods of competition.
- The violations occurred substantially and primarily within Massachusetts ( the at-fault party can disprove this presumption in their defense).
- The violations caused the claimant to lose property or money, for an award of money damages.
- The violations are capable of resulting to the above-mentioned losses, for injunctive relief.
Courts award business claimants who satisfy the above conditions with actual or compensatory damages. Multiple damages (double or treble) may be awarded if the claimant can show that the at-fault party knowingly and willfully acted against the standards set out in Chapter 93A. A claimant may also be awarded attorney’s costs and fees that they incurred in lawsuit.
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