Scams and Unfair Business Practices
HRS 480-13 — at least $1,000 or threefold damages, with attorney's fees, and at least $5,000 for an elder
Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in any trade or commerce are unlawful. Only a consumer, the attorney general or the director of the office of consumer protection may sue over an unfair or deceptive practice.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Office of Consumer Protection; and legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
- A consumer injured by one may sue and, on winning, is awarded not less than $1,000 or threefold damages, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
- Where the consumer is an elder, the court may instead award not less than $5,000 or threefold damages.
- The consumer may also ask the court to stop the practice, with fees and costs on winning.
- A contract in violation of the chapter is void and unenforceable.
Sources for this section (3)
- HRS 480-2 — Unfair competition, practices, declared unlawful
- HRS 480-13 — Suits by persons injured; amount of recovery, injunctions
- HRS 480-12 — Contracts void
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.