Pennsylvania: consumer-protection statute

Private right of action

Whether a person may bring a civil action under the statute.

Any person who purchases or leases goods or services primarily for personal, family or household purposes and thereby suffers any ascertainable loss of money or property, real or personal, as a result of the use or employment by any person of a method, act or practice declared unlawful by section 3 of this act, may bring a private action to recover actual damages or one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greater.

Section 9.2

may bring a private action to recover actual damages or one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greater

Actual damages

Recovery for the loss a person actually suffered.

actual damages

Section 9.2

may bring a private action to recover actual damages or one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greater

Statutory minimum damages

A stated minimum or fixed amount of damages.

one hundred dollars ($100)

Section 9.2

to recover actual damages or one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greater

Multiple or punitive damages

Damages multiplied or increased to punish unlawful conduct.

up to three times the actual damages sustained, but not less than one hundred dollars ($100)

Section 9.2

The court may, in its discretion, award up to three times the actual damages sustained, but not less than one hundred dollars ($100)

Attorney fees

Rules for recovering the cost of legal representation.

The court may award to the plaintiff, in addition to other relief provided in this section, costs and reasonable attorney fees.

Section 9.2

The court may award to the plaintiff, in addition to other relief provided in this section, costs and reasonable attorney fees.

Notice or demand before suit

Notice or a demand that must be sent before bringing an action.

Not found in the statute text reviewed

Class action limits

Restrictions on bringing claims on behalf of a class.

Not found in the statute text reviewed

FTC interpretation clause

Directions to consider FTC or federal interpretations when applying the statute.

Not found in the statute text reviewed

Time limit for a claim

The period in which an action must be brought.

Not found in the statute text reviewed

Injunctive relief

Court orders requiring conduct to stop or change.

The Attorney General or a District Attorney may bring an action to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction the use of such method, act or practice.

Section 4

to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction the use of such method, act or practice

Attorney general civil penalties

Civil monetary penalties sought by the attorney general.

not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation; not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation; not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) per violation

Section 8

a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation