§ 20-161. Unfair or deceptive trade acts or practices.

(1)

Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive trade acts or practices in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce are hereby declared to be a violation of the Broward County Code of Ordinances and shall be punished as provided by law.

(2)

A person engages in an unfair or deceptive trade act or practice when in the course of such person's business, profession, vocation or occupation such person knows, or in the exercise of due care should know, that such person has in the past engaged in, or is now engaging in, any trade or act or practice as defined in this article as unfair or deceptive. No person shall engage in any deceptive or unfair trade act or practice in the sale, lease, rental, repair or loan, or in offering for sale, lease, rental, repair or loan of any consumer goods or services, or in the collection of consumer debts.

(3)

It is the intent of the board of county commissioners that in construing this section due consideration and great weight shall be given to the interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts relating to section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1) as from time to time amended and to decisions of the Florida courts in interpreting or enforcing the provisions of Chapter 501, F.S., as from time to time amended.

(Ord. No. 81-77, § 3, 8-11-81; Ord. No. 90-16, § 2, 7-10-90)