Wyoming Consumer Laws

Here are some key consumer laws that apply in the state of Wyoming:

Lemon Law: Wyoming has a Lemon Law that applies to new and used vehicles that have a substantial defect that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. The law provides for a refund or replacement of the vehicle.
Home Solicitation Sales: Under Wyoming law, consumers have a three-day cooling-off period for home solicitation sales (such as door-to-door sales) in which they can cancel the contract without penalty.
Unfair Trade Practices: The Wyoming Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair and deceptive practices in trade or commerce. This includes false advertising, misrepresentation of goods or services, and other dishonest tactics.
Credit Reporting: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides protection for consumers against errors on their credit reports and requires credit reporting agencies to investigate and correct errors.
Debt Collection: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers against abusive and harassing debt collection practices.
Telemarketing: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulates telemarketing calls and requires telemarketers to obtain prior express written consent before calling a consumer’s cell phone.

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of all consumer laws in Wyoming, and consumers should consult with an attorney or consumer protection agency for more information and assistance.

Lemon Law

Lemon Laws are a set of state and federal laws that provide consumers with legal protection when they purchase a new or used vehicle that turns out to be defective. Lemon Laws vary from state to state, but in general, they require the manufacturer to replace or refund the vehicle if it has a significant defect that cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

In Wyoming, the Lemon Law applies to new and used vehicles that are purchased or leased, and that have a defect that substantially impairs their use, value, or safety. The law requires the manufacturer to make a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix the defect before the vehicle can be considered a “lemon”. In Wyoming, the law presumes that a vehicle is a lemon if:

The defect is a serious safety defect that could cause death or serious injury; OR
The same defect has been subject to repair four or more times, or the vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more days.

If the vehicle is considered a lemon, the manufacturer must either replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer’s use of the vehicle.

It is important to note that Lemon Laws can be complex, and the specific requirements and procedures for filing a claim can vary from state to state. Consumers who believe they have purchased a lemon should consult with an attorney or a consumer protection agency for more information and assistance.

Home Solicitation Sales

Home solicitation sales, also known as door-to-door sales, are regulated by federal and state laws to protect consumers from unscrupulous sales practices. In Wyoming, home solicitation sales are regulated by the Wyoming Consumer Protection Act, which requires sellers to provide certain disclosures and gives consumers the right to cancel the contract within a certain timeframe.

Under the Wyoming Consumer Protection Act, if a seller comes to a consumer’s home or workplace to sell goods or services, the seller must provide the consumer with a written contract that includes certain disclosures, such as:

The seller’s name and address
A description of the goods or services being sold
The total cost of the goods or services, including any finance charges or interest
The date of the transaction
The consumer’s right to cancel the contract within three days, and instructions on how to cancel

The consumer has the right to cancel the contract within three days of signing it, without penalty. The seller must provide the consumer with a cancellation form that the consumer can use to cancel the contract. The seller must also refund any payments made by the consumer within ten days of receiving notice of cancellation.

It’s important to note that there are certain exceptions to the home solicitation sales rule, such as sales of goods or services costing less than $25 or sales made by a licensed real estate broker. If you have questions or concerns about home solicitation sales in Wyoming, you can contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit for assistance.

Unfair Trade Practices

Unfair trade practices are business practices that are deceptive, fraudulent, or otherwise harmful to consumers. In Wyoming, unfair trade practices are regulated by the Wyoming Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits businesses from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices in trade or commerce.

The Wyoming Consumer Protection Act defines several practices that are considered unfair or deceptive, including:

Making false or misleading statements about a product or service
Falsely representing that a product or service is of a particular standard, quality, or grade
Failing to disclose material information about a product or service
Engaging in any conduct that creates a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding
Representing that a product or service has certain benefits, uses, or qualities that it does not have
Representing that a product or service is new, original, or unused when it is not

Consumers who are harmed by an unfair or deceptive trade practice may be able to take legal action against the business. Remedies under the Wyoming Consumer Protection Act may include monetary damages, injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees.

If you believe that a business has engaged in an unfair or deceptive trade practice, you can file a complaint with the Wyoming Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit or consult with a consumer protection attorney for assistance.

Credit Reporting

Credit reporting refers to the process of collecting, maintaining, and sharing information about a consumer’s credit history and payment behavior. In the United States, credit reporting is regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which is a federal law that sets standards for the collection, use, and disclosure of credit information.

Under the FCRA, credit reporting agencies (such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) are required to:

Provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months
Investigate and correct any errors on a consumer’s credit report
Maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy and completeness of credit information
Obtain a permissible purpose before releasing a consumer’s credit report to a third party
Notify consumers if negative information is added to their credit report

Consumers also have certain rights under the FCRA, including the right to dispute inaccurate information on their credit report and the right to request that outdated information be removed.

In Wyoming, consumers who believe that a credit reporting agency has violated their rights under the FCRA may be able to take legal action. Remedies under the FCRA may include actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.

If you have questions or concerns about credit reporting in Wyoming, you can contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit or consult a consumer protection attorney for assistance.

Debt Collection

Debt collection is the process of attempting to collect payment on debts that are owed by consumers or businesses. In Wyoming, debt collection is regulated by both state and federal laws to protect consumers from harassment and unfair practices.

Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in certain abusive or deceptive practices, including:

Contacting consumers at unreasonable hours or in a manner that is harassing or abusive
Falsely representing the amount or status of a debt
Threatening legal action that is not intended
Using false or misleading information to collect a debt
Continuing to contact consumers who have requested that they cease communication

Wyoming also has its debt collection laws, which require debt collectors to be licensed and provide consumers with certain disclosures, such as:

The name and address of the creditor
The amount of the debt owed
The fact that the consumer has a right to dispute the debt

Consumers who are being harassed or subjected to unfair practices by debt collectors may be able to take legal action to stop the behavior and obtain damages. Remedies under the FDCPA may include actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney’s fees Laws.

If you have questions or concerns about debt collection in Wyoming, you can contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit or consult with a consumer protection attorney for assistance Laws.

Telemarketing

Telemarketing refers to the practice of marketing goods or services over the phone. In Wyoming, telemarketing is regulated by both state and federal laws to protect consumers from deceptive or abusive practices Laws.

Under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), telemarketers are required to obtain prior express written consent from consumers before making automated or prerecorded calls or sending text messages to their mobile phones. The TCPA also prohibits telemarketers from calling consumers who have registered their phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry.

Wyoming also has its telemarketing laws, which require telemarketers to Laws:

Disclose their identity and the purpose of the call at the beginning of the conversation
Honor consumers’ requests to be placed on the company’s internal do not call list
End the call immediately upon the consumer’s request
Maintain records of all transactions for at least two years Laws.

Consumers who receive unwanted telemarketing calls or texts may be able to take legal action to stop the calls and obtain damages. Remedies under the TCPA may include actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney’s fees.

If you have questions or concerns about telemarketing in Wyoming, you can contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit or consult a consumer protection attorney for assistance Laws.