In Vermont, the mini-FTC act is Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9, §§2451 through 2480n (Consumer Fraud Act).  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when businesses engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission Act.  To sustain an action for damages, the plaintiff must show actual harm due to the defendant’s conduct.  Actual harm need not be shown to establish fraud.  There is a statute of limitations for actions under the statute of six years.

A successful plaintiff is entitled to the amount of his damages, or the consideration or the value of the consideration given by the consumer and exemplary damages.  Exemplary damages under the statute are capped at three times the value of the consideration given by the consumer, and reasonable attorneys’ fees are recoverable if the plaintiff is successful.  Although the issue has not yet been decided, class actions are probably permitted under the statute.