California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §17512: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to request or receive payment of any fee or consideration from a person for goods or services represented to recover or otherwise assist in the return of money

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is illegal to charge a fee for services to recover money or items from a prior telemarketing transaction until seven business days after delivery, except for licensed attorneys. Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail.

Read the full statutory text

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to request or receive payment of any fee or consideration from a person for goods or services represented to recover or otherwise assist in the return of money or any other item of value paid for by, or promised to, that person in a previous telemarketing transaction, until seven business days after that money or other item is delivered to that person. (b) This section shall not apply to an attorney licensed to practice law in this state and specifically retained for the recovery of money or any other item of value. (c) Notwithstanding Section 17511.9, any person who violates subdivision (a) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.