General Overview
UDAAP is an acronym representing laws that prohibit Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices in the context of trade or business. This includes misrepresentation, deception, false advertising, or false promises. These laws emerged following the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that was enacted in response to the 2008 financial crisis. The ultimate goal with these laws is geared towards protecting consumers involved in financial transactions, educating consumers on their rights, and allowing them access to information and resources to best inform their decisions.
The organizations which regulate and enforce UDAAP laws are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC expanded the initial UDAAP laws in 2004 to include unfair and deceptive acts and practices. Some standards for unfairness, in particular, include if it causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers, the injury is not reasonably avoidable by consumers, and the injury is not outweighed by countervailing benefits to consumers or to competition.
Georgia
The Fair Business Practices Act (FBPA), Ga. Code Ann. Sections 10-1-390 through 10-1-407, is Georgia’s UDAP statute broadly prohibiting unfair, unconscionable, and deceptive acts against consumers or legitimate business enterprises. However, the consumer must not only show the damages that they suffered, but they must also show that others are being affected by the defendant’s unlawful actions in order to also protect public interest. Additionally, there are no protections for consumers seeking help and relief from the damages caused by predatory lending, mortgage fraud, and oral misrepresentations.
A few examples of violations of the FBPA may include passing off goods or services as those of another, representing that goods are new when they are actually used, and making false or misleading statements about sale prices. The statute of limitations for a lawsuit under the FBPA is two years. A successful plaintiff can be awarded compensatory damages, multiple or punitive damages, and, in some cases, attorney’s fees. Civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation could also be imposed on the defendant. The plaintiff must establish the elements of an FBPA claim, which include the following:
- A violation of the Act,
- Causation, and
- Injury
UDAAP and Arbitration
Arbitration is an out-of-court proceeding where a neutral third-party (the arbitrator) hears all the evidence from both sides and makes a decision about the case, which may or may not be binding. Binding arbitration, the most common type of arbitration, means that the decision is enforceable in a court of law and participants agree to abide by the decision. Some contracts allow for non-binding arbitration, meaning that either party is free to reject the arbitrator’s decision and take the dispute to court, although this is less common.
Arbitration has many advantages over traditional litigation, including being faster, more flexible in scheduling, and more efficient. Arbitration also avoids the hostility that can accompany court cases, remains confidential, and allows for an arbitrator who is a professional in the field to be selected instead of a judge who may not have familiarity with the issues at hand.
If you have a UDAAP claim, chances are we can bring your claim in arbitration. Arbitration is a very useful tool for resolving disputes, and Mike Agruss Law can help. With our expert guidance, we bring the big companies to the table and provide the support needed to get your bills corrected, credit reports fixed, improper fees refunded, and more. Let us pick up the sword for you; you have nothing to lose.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at the work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,070 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 155 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
