Consumer Protection in Virginia
This page covers consumer protection as it applies in Virginia — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what consumer protection protects generally, see the national overview.
Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this
Laws that govern consumer protection in Virginia
Virginia state law
- Civil Remedies and Procedure › Chapter 4. Limitations of Actions › Article 3. Personal Actions GenerallyVA 8.01 § 8.01-249
Cited in 112 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Trade and Commerce › Chapter 17. Virginia Consumer Protection ActVA 59.1 § 59.1-196
Cited in 78 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Trade and Commerce › Chapter 17. Virginia Consumer Protection ActVA 59.1 § 59.1-200
Cited in 67 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Trade and Commerce › Chapter 17. Virginia Consumer Protection ActVA 59.1 § 59.1-204
Cited in 45 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Trade and Commerce › Chapter 17. Virginia Consumer Protection ActVA 59.1 § 59.1-198
Cited in 29 court decisions on this topic's terms.
- Trade and Commerce › Chapter 17. Virginia Consumer Protection ActVA 59.1 § 59.1-199
Cited in 22 court decisions on this topic's terms.
Federal law
- Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914
Federal law that established the Federal Trade Commission and prohibits "unfair methods of competition" and "unfair or deceptive acts or practices." Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58.
- Truth in Lending Act
Federal law designed to protect consumers in their dealings with lenders and creditors by requiring meaningful disclosure of credit terms. Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601 et seq.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
Where to go & how to get help
Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for consumer protection in Virginia.
- Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal agency that enforces consumer protection laws nationwide and accepts complaints about fraud, scams, identity theft, and deceptive business practices.
- Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal agency that enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and accepts consumer fraud complaints through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal enforcement agency for the Federal Trade Commission Act; accepts consumer complaints about deceptive advertising, identity theft, and scams through its online complaint portal.
Federal agency enforcing laws on credit reports, mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and debt collection; accepts free consumer complaints online.
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.
Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.