It is unlawful in Arizona for a person to use "any deception, deceptive or unfair act or practice, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation or, concealment, suppression or omission of any material fact with the intent that others rely on such concealment, suppression or nondisclosure, in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise. (A.R.S. §44-1522(A)). Merchandise may include any objects, wares, goods, commodities, intangibles, real estate, or services.
A “consumer” is a person who purchases goods (like a mobile phone) or services (like a haircut) for personal use. To protect consumers and their money, Arizona passed several rules and laws defining how products and services can be sold. If a person or business has violated Arizona’s consumer protection laws, the Arizona Attorney General can investigate and prosecute consumer fraud allegations. In addition to reporting consumer fraud to the Arizona Attorney General, consumers can also file a civil case against the person or business within one year from the date of the violation.
If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud or deceptive sales practices, you may file a consumer complaint by calling (800) 352-8431 or completing a form on the Attorney General’s website (azag.gov/consumer).
For more information about the Consumer Fraud Act, visit AzLeg.gov (A.R.S. §44-1521 to §44-1534).
Q: What happens if my new car is constantly breaking down?
A: You might be able to cancel the purchase if you bought it from a dealer. You must notify the dealer and give them an opportunity to fix it first. If it continues to be a problem, you must notify the dealer that you are cancelling the purchase and must return it intact.
Arizona’s “lemon law” (A.R.S. §44-1261 to §44-1267) covers new and used vehicles purchased from a dealer. Also, the warranty on a new motor vehicle includes a period of two years or 24,000 miles following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, whichever is earlier (A.R.S. §44-1262). For a used motor vehicle, the warranty period runs before midnight of the 15th calendar day after delivery of a used motor vehicle or until it is driven 500 miles after delivery, whichever is earlier (A.R.S. §44-1267).
Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated. The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here.