New Jersey Consumer Law

In New Jersey the mini-FTC act is The Consumer Fraud Act N.J.S.A. §§56:8-1.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when a person, business entity, agentor employee commits deceptive acts as outlined in §56:8-2.  To sustain an action, the plaintiff must show actual harm due to the defendant’s conduct (though the Attorney General does not).  There is a statute of limitations for actions under the statute of 6 years.

A successful plaintiff is entitled to injunctions and damages (two times the value if a senior citizen) as potential remedies for a violation.  Damages under the statute are not capped and attorneys’ fees are recoverable if the suit is successful.  Class actions are permitted under the statute.