North Dakota CPS


1	State	2017 Statute Number	2017 Statute Language
2	North Dakota	N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. "Cost" means the actual invoice cost of the merchandise or the replacement cost of the merchandise, whichever is the lower, less all trade discounts, advertising allowances, including customary discounts for cash, to which must be added transportation, including cartage cost, not otherwise included in the invoice cost or the replacement cost of the merchandise. If a manufacturer publishes a list price, proof of such list price, less all discounts, is prima facie evidence of "cost". 2. "Replacement cost" means the cost per unit at which the merchandise sold or offered for sale could have been bought by the seller at any time prior to the date of sale or the date upon which it is offered for sale by the seller. 3. "Retailers" means and includes every person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association engaged in the business of making sales at retail within this state. In the case of a person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association engaged in the business of making sales at retail and sales at wholesale, such term must be applied only to the retail portion of such business. 4. "Sell at retail", "sales at retail", and "retail sale" mean and include any transfer for a valuable consideration, made in the ordinary course of trade or in the usual prosecution of the seller's business, of title to tangible personal property to the purchaser for consumption or use other than resale or further processing or manufacturing, except that sales to contractors or subcontractors engaged in any type of building operation or the repair of buildings or other improvements upon real estate must be deemed sales for consumption and not for further processing or manufacturing. The terms include any transfer of such property when title is retained by the seller as security for the payment of the purchase price. 5. "Sell at wholesale", "sales at wholesale", and "wholesale sales" mean and include any transfer for a valuable consideration made in the ordinary course of trade or the usual conduct of the seller's business, of title to tangible personal property to the purchaser for purposes of resale or further processing or manufacturing, except that sales to contractors engaged in any type of building operation or the repair of buildings or other improvements upon real estate, regardless of further processing or manufacturing of the material sold, must be deemed retail sales and not wholesale sales. The terms include any transfer of such property when title is retained by the seller as security for the payment of the purchase price. 6. "Wholesaler" means and includes every person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association engaged in the business of making sales at wholesale within this state. In the case of a person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association engaged in the business of making both sales at wholesale and sales at retail, such terms must be applied only to the wholesale portion of such business.
3		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-02 Items advertised, offered for sale, or sold with other items at a combined price - Regulations governing.	When one or more items are advertised, offered for sale, or sold with one or more other items at a combined price, or are advertised, offered as a gift, or given with the sale of one or more items, each and all of said items, for the purpose of this chapter, must be deemed to be advertised, offered for sale, or sold, and the price of each item named must be governed by the provisions of subsection 1 or 2 of section 51-10-01, respectively.
4		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-03 Unfair advertising, offer to sell, or sale.	Any advertising, offer to sell, or sale of any merchandise, either by retailers or wholesalers,at less than cost as defined in this chapter, which has the intent or the effect of inducing the purchase of other merchandise or of unfairly diverting trade from a competitor or otherwise injuring a competitor, impairs and prevents fair competition, injures public welfare, and is unfair competition and contrary to public policy and the policy of this chapter, if the result of such advertising, offer, or sale is to tend to deceive any purchaser or prospective purchaser, orsubstantially to lessen competition, or unreasonably to restrain trade, or to tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.
5		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-04 Schemes or devices included within sales below cost.	The inhibition against sales below cost, as defined in this chapter, shall embrace any scheme of special rebate, collateral contract, or any device of any nature by which such result is, in substance or in fact, effected in violation of the spirit and intent of this chapter.
6		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-05 Advertising, offering, or selling article at less than cost - Penalty.	Any retailer or wholesaler who shall advertise, offer to sell, or sell any article of merchandise at less than cost to such retailer or wholesaler as defined in this chapter, or who gives, offers to give, or advertises the intent to give away any article of merchandise, with the intent, or with the effect of injuring competitors and destroying competition, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
7		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-05.1 Powers of attorney general	When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter or when the attorney general believes it to be in the public interest that an investigation should be made to ascertain whether a person in fact has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any such practice the attorney general may: 1. Require that person to file on forms prescribed by the attorney general, a statement or report in writing, under oath or otherwise, as to all the facts and circumstances concerning the sale or advertisement of merchandise at less than cost as defined in this chapter and any other data and information the attorney general may deem necessary. 2. Examine under oath any person in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise at less than cost as defined in this chapter. 3. Examine any merchandise or sample of merchandise, record, book, document, account, or paper as the attorney general may deem necessary. 4. Pursuant to an order of a district court impound any record, book, document, account, paper, or sample of merchandise material to such practice and retain it until completion of all relevant proceedings under this chapter.
8		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-05.2 Subpoena - Hearing - Rules.	The attorney general may issue subpoenas to any person, administer an oath or affirmation to any person, conduct hearings in the aid of any investigation of inquiry, prescribe forms, and adopt necessary rules.
9		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-05.3 Failure to display information or obey subpoena.	If any person fails or refuses to file any statement or report, or obey any subpoena issued by the attorney general, the attorney general may file in the district court a petition for an order directing the person to file the required statement or report or to obey the subpoena. The order may be granted by the district court after notice and hearing.
10		N.D. Cent. Code. § 51-10-06 Injunctional relief may be had in addition to other penalties - Duty to commence actions.	In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, the courts of this state are invested with the jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter by injunctional proceedings. The attorney general and the several state's attorneys shall institute suits in behalf of this state, to prevent and restrain violations of the provisions of this chapter. Any person damaged, or who is threatened with loss or injury, by reason of a violation of the provisions of this chapter, is entitled to sue for and have injunctive relief in the district court against any damage or threatened loss or injury by reason of a violation hereof.
11		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-07 Application of provisions of chapter.	The provisions of this chapter do not apply to sales at retail or sales at wholesale, where: 1. Merchandise is sold in bona fide clearance sales, if advertised, marked, and sold as such. 2. Perishable merchandise must be sold promptly in order to forestall loss. 3. Merchandise is imperfect or damaged, or is being discontinued and is advertised, marked, and sold as such. 4. Merchandise is sold upon the final liquidation of any business. 5. Merchandise is sold for charitable purposes or to relief agencies. 6. Merchandise is sold on contract to departments of the government or government institutions. 7. The price of merchandise is made in good faith to meet legal competition. 8. Merchandise is sold by any officer acting under the order or direction of any court. Any retailer or wholesaler claiming the benefits of any of the exemptions provided for in this section shall have the burden of proof of facts entitling such retailer or wholesaler to any of the benefits of said exemptions.
12		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-10-08 No immunity from self-incrimination.	No person subpoenaed or ordered may be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, records, correspondence, documents, or other evidence in any civil action or proceeding instituted or brought, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, upon the ground that the testimony or evidence required of that person may tend to incriminate that person or subject that person to a penalty or forfeiture. No person may be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any act, transaction, matter, or thing concerning which that person is compelled, after having claimed the privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence. The provisions of this section do not exempt any person from prosecution or punishment for perjury.
13	North Dakota	N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-01 False and misleading advertising prohibited.	1. No person with intent to sell, dispose of, increase the consumption of, or induce the public to enter an obligation relative to or to acquire title or interest in any product, merchandise, security, service, performance, or anything offered to the public may make, publish, disseminate, circulate, broadcast, or place before the public, or directly or indirectly shall cause to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, broadcast, or placed before the public in a newspaper, or other publication, or in the form of a book, notice, handbill, poster, bill, circular, pamphlet, tab, label, letter, television or radio broadcast, placement on the internet, or in any other way, an advertisement or web page that contains any assertion, representation, or statement of fact, including the price thereof or name suggesting the business location of the offeror, which is untrue, deceptive, or misleading regarding such product, merchandise, security, service, performance, price, business location, or anything offered to the public. 2. It is not a violation of this section to advertise a performance by a performing group if at least one member of the performing group was a member of the recording group, the performance is identified as a “salute” or “tribute” to the recording group, the performance is expressly authorized in the advertising by the recording group, the advertising does not relate to a live music performance taking place in this state, or the advertising contains a disclaimer that the performing group is not the recording group or is not affiliated with the recording group. 3. This section imposes liability on only the offeror of a product or service. This section does not impose liability on a publisher, broadcaster, other advertising media, or an advertising agency that relies on the assurances of a person placing an advertisement that the claims or representations are true.
14		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-02 Penalty.	Any person who violates any of the provisions of section 51-12-01 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
15		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-02.1 Popcorn toppings - Advertisement - Sale - Penalty.	No person advertising, offering for sale, or selling popcorn intended for consumption on the premises where purchased may use the word butter, or any derivative of the word butter, to describe a topping placed on popcorn, unless the topping is real butter or unless the word butter, or derivative of the word butter, is a part of the commercial brand name of the topping product. The allowable use under this section of the word butter, or any derivative of the word butter, as part of the commercial brand name of a topping product is limited to use in that manner and popcorn with such a topping may not be described as buttered popcorn. Any person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.
16		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-08 False advertising--Generally.	It is unlawful for any person with intent, directly or indirectly, to dispose of real or personal property or to perform services, professional or otherwise, or anything of any nature whatsoever or to induce the public to enter into any obligation relating thereto, to make or disseminate or cause to be made or disseminated before the public in this state, in any newspaper or other publication, or any advertising device, or by public outcry or proclamation, or in any other manner or means whatever, any statement, concerning such real or personal property or services, professional or otherwise or concerning any circumstance or matter of fact connected with the proposed performance or disposition thereof, which is untrue or misleading, and which is known, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading.
17		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-09 Representation as to worth or value.	For the purpose of sections 51-12-08 through 51-12-14 the worth or value of any thing advertised is the prevailing market price, wholesale if the offer is at wholesale, retail if the offer is at retail, at the time of publication of the advertisement in the locality wherein the advertisement is published. No price may be advertised as a former price of any advertised thing unless the alleged former price was the prevailing market price as above defined within three months next immediately preceding the publication of the advertisement or unless the date when the alleged former price did prevail is clearly, exactly, and conspicuously stated in the advertisement. This section does not apply to any publisher, owner, or employee of a newspaper, magazine, broadcasting or cable station, advertising device, or other publication by any means of communication, who publishes an advertisement in good faith, without knowledge of its false, deceptive, or misleading character; nor to any owner, manager, or employee of an advertising agency or a printer that prepares, places, or prints an advertisement in good faith, without knowledge of its false, deceptive, or misleading character; nor to any employee of the person who offers the advertised thing if that employee in good faith relied on the statements of the person and did not have knowledge that the statements were false, deceptive, or misleading.
18		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-10 Real estate.	It is unlawful for any person to make or disseminate any statement or assertion of fact in a newspaper, circular, form letter, or other publication published or circulated in any language in this state, concerning the extent, location, ownership, title, or other characteristic, quality, or attribute of any real estate located in this state or elsewhere, which is known to the person to be untrue and which is made or disseminated with the intention of misleading. Nothing in this section may be construed to hold the publisher of any newspaper, or any job printer, liable for any publication herein referred to unless the publisher or printer has an interest either as owner or agent, in the real estate so advertised.
19		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-11 Used merchandise or seconds	It is unlawful for any person in any newspaper, magazine, circular, form letter, or any open publication, published, distributed, or circulated in this state or on any billboard, card, label, or other advertising medium, or by means of any other advertising device, to advertise, call attention to, or give publicity to the sale of any merchandise, which merchandise is secondhand or used merchandise, or which merchandise is defective in any manner, or which merchandise consists of articles or units or parts known as “seconds”, or blemished merchandise, or which merchandise has been rejected by the manufacturer thereof as not first class, unless there be conspicuously displayed directly in connection with the name and description of such merchandise and each specified article, unit, or part thereof, a direct and unequivocal statement, phrase, or word which will clearly indicate that such merchandise or each article, unit, or part thereof so advertised is secondhand, used, defective, or consists of “seconds” or is blemished merchandise, or has been rejected by the manufacturer thereof, as the fact shall be.
20		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-12 Newspaper - Misrepresenting circulation.	It is unlawful for any proprietor or publisher of any newspaper or periodical willfully and knowingly to misrepresent the circulation of the newspaper or periodical, for the purpose of securing advertising or other patronage.
21		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-13 Penalty.	Any person who violates any of the provisions of sections 51-12-08 through 51-12-12 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
22		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-14 Injunction.	Any person who violates or proposes to violate any of the provisions of sections 51-12-08 through 51-12-12 may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction. Actions for injunction under this section may be prosecuted by the attorney general or any state's attorney in this state in the name of the people of the state of North Dakota upon their own complaint or upon the complaint of any board, officer, person, corporation, limited liability company, or association or by any person acting for the interests of itself, its members, or the general public.
23		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-12-15 Product rebates - Acceptable mailing addresses	A person who is eligible to receive a mail-in rebate for the purchase of a product or merchandise must be given the option of providing either a street address or a post-office box number as a mailing address.
24		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. “Amount financed” or “unpaid balance” means the cash price of the personal property which is the subject matter of the retail installment sale, plus the amounts, if any, included in a retail installment sale for insurance and official fees, minus the amount of the buyer's downpayment in money or goods. 2. “Cash price” means the cash price stated in a retail installment contract for which the seller would sell to the buyer, and the buyer would buy from the seller, the personal property which is the subject matter of the contract if the sale were a sale for cash instead of a retail installment sale. The cash price may include any taxes and cash prices for accessories included in a retail installment sale. 3. “Deferred payment price” means the total of the cash price and the amounts, if any, included for insurance, official fees, and finance charge. 4. “Finance charge” means the amount which the retail buyer contracts to pay or pays for the privilege of purchasing the personal property to be paid for by the buyer in installments; it does not include the amounts, if any, charged for insurance premiums, delinquency charges, attorney's fees, court costs, collection expenses, or official fees. 5. “Financing agency” means a person engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of purchasing retail installment contracts from one or more retail sellers. The term includes a bank, trust company, finance company, or investment company, if so engaged. The term also includes a retail seller engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of holding retail installment contracts acquired from retail buyers. The term does not include the pledgee of an aggregate number of such contracts to secure a bona fide loan thereon. 6. “Holder” means the seller of the personal property under or subject to the contract, or, if the contract is purchased by a financing agency or other assignee, the financing agency or other assignee. 7. “Official fees” means the filing or other fees required by law to be paid to a public officer to perfect the interest or lien retained or taken by a seller under the retail installment contract, and to file or record a release, satisfaction, or discharge of the contract, and license, certificate of title, and registration fees imposed by law. 8. “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or other group, however organized. 9. “Retail buyer” or “buyer” means a person who buys personal property from a retail seller in a retail installment sale. 10. “Retail installment contract” or “contract” means an agreement, entered into in this state, pursuant to which the title to or a lien upon the personal property, which is the subject matter of a retail installment sale, is retained or taken by a retail seller from a retail buyer as security, in whole or in part, for the buyer's obligation, or a contract for the bailment or leasing of personal property by which the bailee or lessee contracts to pay as compensation for its use a sum substantially equivalent to or in excess of its value and by which it is agreed that the bailee or lessee is bound to become, or has the option of becoming, the owner of the personal property upon full compliance with the terms of the contract. 11. “Retail installment sale” or “sale” means a sale, other than for the purpose of resale, of personal property by a retail seller to a retail buyer for a price payable in one or more deferred payments. 12. “Retail seller” or “seller” means a person who sells personal property to a retail buyer. 13. “Total of payments” or “time balance” means the total of the unpaid balance and the amount of the finance charge, if any, payable by the buyer.
25		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-02 Requirements as to retail installment contracts.	1. A retail installment contract must be dated and in writing, and must contain all the agreements of the parties with respect to the cost and terms of payment for the personal property, including any promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness between the parties relating to the transaction. 2. a. If the retail installment sale for which the retail installment contract is made is not subject to the Truth in Lending Act [15 U.S.C. 1601-1667e], this subsection applies. a. The printed portion of the contract must be in at least eight-point type. The contract must contain printed or written in a size equal to at least ten-point bold type: (1) Either at the top of the contract or directly above the space reserved for the signature of the buyer, the words “RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT”. (2) A specific statement that liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage caused to others is not included, if that is the case. (3) The following notice: “NOTICE TO THE BUYER: 1. Do not sign this contract before you read it or if it contains any blank space. 2. You are entitled to a completely filled-in copy of this contract when you sign it. 3. Under the law, you have the following rights, among others: (a) to pay off in advance the full amount due and to obtain a partial refund of the finance charge; (b) to redeem the property if repossessed for a default within the time provided by law; (c) to require, under certain conditions, a resale of the property if repossessed. 4. If you desire to pay off in advance the full amount due, the amount of the refund you are entitled to, if any, will be furnished upon request.” b. The seller shall deliver to the buyer a legible copy of the contract or any other document the seller has required or requested the buyer to sign. Until the seller does so, a buyer who has not received delivery of the personal property has an unconditional right to cancel the contract and to receive immediate refund of all payments made and redelivery of all goods traded in to the seller on account of or in contemplation of the contract. Any acknowledgment by the buyer of delivery of a copy of the contract must be printed or written in a size equal to at least ten-point bold type and, if contained in the contract, must also appear directly above the space reserved for the buyer's signature. The buyer's written acknowledgment of delivery of a copy of a contract is conclusive proof of such delivery and of compliance with this subdivision in any action or proceeding by or against an assignee of the contract without knowledge to the contrary when the assignee purchases the contract. c. The contract must contain: (1) The names of the seller and the buyer, the place of business of the seller, the residence or place of business of the buyer as specified by the buyer and a description of the personal property including its make, year model, model and identification numbers or marks, if any, and whether it is new or used. (2) The cash price of the personal property which is the subject matter of the retail installment sale. (3) The amount of the buyer's downpayment, itemizing the amounts paid in money and in goods and containing a brief description of the goods, if any, traded in. (4) The difference between paragraphs 2 and 3, which is the unpaid balance of cash price. (5) The amount, if any, included for insurance, specifying the coverages. (6) The amount, if any, of official fees. (7) The amount financed, which is the sum of paragraphs 4, 5, and 6. (8) The amount of the finance charge, if any. (9) The total of payments, which is the sum of paragraphs 7 and 8, payable by the buyer to the seller, the number of installments required, the amount of each installment expressed in dollars, and the due date or period thereof. (10) The deferred payment price, which is the sum of the amounts determined in paragraphs 2, 5, 6, and 8. (11) If any installment substantially exceeds in amount any prior installment other than the downpayment, the following legend printed in at least ten-point bold type or typewritten: “THIS CONTRACT IS NOT PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENTS OF EQUAL AMOUNTS”, followed, if there be but one larger installment, by: “AN INSTALLMENT OF $__________ WILL BE DUE ON ___”, or, if there be more than one larger installment, by: “LARGER INSTALLMENTS WILL BE DUE AS FOLLOWS: ___”, in such latter case inserting the amount of every larger installment and its due date. (12) Any balloon payments. If any payment under a contract is more than twice the amount of an otherwise regularly scheduled equal payment, the seller shall identify the amount of such payment by the term “balloon payment”. The items need not be stated in the sequence or order set forth above; additional items may be included to explain the calculations involved in determining the amount to be paid by the buyer. d. If the cost of any insurance is included in the contract and a separate charge is made to the buyer for the insurance: (1) The contract must state whether the insurance is to be procured by the buyer or the seller. (2) If the insurance is to be procured by the seller or holder, the seller or holder shall within thirty days after execution of the retail installment contract send or cause to be sent to the buyer a policy or policies or certificate of insurance, written by an insurance company authorized to do business in this state and sold by a licensed insurance agent. If any such policy or certificate is canceled, the unearned insurance premium refund received by the holder of the contract must be credited to the final maturing installments of the retail installment contract except to the extent applied toward payment for similar insurance protecting the interests of the buyer and holder of the contract or either of them. e. A contract may provide for the payment by the buyer of a delinquency and collection charge on each installment in default for a period of more than ten days in an amount equal to ten percent of the delinquent installment payment or ten dollars, whichever is less; provided, that only one such delinquency and collection charge may be collected on each installment in addition to interest accruing thereon. f. No retail installment contract may be signed by any party thereto when it contains blank spaces to be filled in after it has been signed except that, if delivery of the personal property is not made at the time of the execution of the contract, the identifying numbers or marks of the property or similar information and the due date of the first installment may be inserted in the contract after its execution. 3. If a retail installment sale is also subject to the Truth in Lending Act [15 U.S.C. 1601-1667e], the seller may, instead of complying with the disclosure requirements of subsection 2, comply with all requirements of the Truth in Lending Act. A seller who complies with the Truth in Lending Act still must comply with the provisions of this section governing matters other than disclosure.
26		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-02.1 Retail installment contracts - Prohibited provisions.	No contract may contain any provision by which: 1. In the absence of the buyer's default, the holder may, arbitrarily and without reasonable cause, accelerate the maturity of any part or all of the time balance owing thereunder. 2. A power of attorney is given to confess judgment in this state, or an assignment of wages is given. 3. The buyer waives any claim for relief against the seller or holder of the contract, or other person acting on the seller's or holder's behalf, for any illegal act committed in the collection of payments under the contract or in the repossession of the personal property. 4. The buyer executes a power of attorney appointing the seller or holder of the contract, or other person acting on the seller's or holder's behalf, as the buyer's agent in collection of payments under the contract or in the repossession of the personal property. 5. The buyer relieves the seller from liability for any legal remedies which the buyer may have against the seller under the contract or any separate instrument executed in connection therewith. 6. The buyer may subsequently include the title to or a lien upon any goods, other than the personal property which is the subject matter of the retail installment sale and any accessories or special or auxiliary equipment used in connection therewith, or in substitution, in whole or in part, for any thereof, as security for payment of the deferred payment price.
27		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-03 Finance charge limitation.	1. A retail seller may contract for in a retail installment contract and charge, receive, and collect the finance charge computed on the principal balance of the contract or obligation from the date thereof until paid. A retail seller who complies with the disclosure provisions of this chapter is deemed a regulated lender under section 47-14-09. 2. The finance charge must be computed on the amount financed as determined undersubdivision c of subsection 2 of section 51-13-02. This finance charge may be precomputed on the amount financed calculated on the assumption that all scheduled payments will be paid when due and the effect of prepayment is governed by the provisions on rebate upon prepayment. 3. When a retail installment contract provides for unequal or irregular installments, the finance charge must be at the effective rate provided in subsection 1, having due regard for the schedule of installments. 4. The finance charge must be inclusive of all charges incident to investigating and making the contract, and for the extension of the credit provided for in the contract and no fee, expense, or other charge whatsoever may be taken, received, reserved, or contracted for except as provided in this section and in subdivision e of subsection 2 of section 51-13-02 and for those items expressly provided for in the retail installment contract as set forth in subdivision c of subsection 2 of section 51-13-02.
28		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-03.1 Payment to last-known holder	Unless the buyer has notice of actual or intended assignment of a retail installment contract, payment made by the buyer to the last-known holder of the contract is binding upon all subsequent holders or assignees.
29		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-03.2 Statement of unpaid balance	Upon written request from the buyer, the holder of a retail installment contract shall give or forward to the buyer a written statement of the dates and amounts of payments and the total amount unpaid under the contract. A buyer must be given a written receipt for any payment when made in cash.
30		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-04 Cancellation of contract	After the payment of all sums for which the buyer is obligated under a retail installment contract, and upon written demand made by the buyer, the holder of such contract shall mail to the buyer at the buyer's last-known address, good and sufficient instruments to indicate payment in full and to release all security in the personal property.
31		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-05 Prepayment of retail installment contract	1. At any time before maturity, a buyer may pay in full the remaining principal due on a retail installment contract and is entitled to a refund of finance charges as follows: a. The refund must be at least the finance charge paid in excess of that computed under the simple interest method, using the annual percentage rate disclosed under federal law to the nearest one-fourth of one percent. b. For a retail installment contract in which the amount financed is not more than ten thousand dollars, an acquisition cost of at most fifteen dollars may be deducted from the refund. c. For all retail installment contracts, a refund is not required if it is less than one dollar. 2. Notwithstanding section 51-13-06.2, this section applies to retail installment contracts for agricultural purposes and to retail installment contracts for more than twenty-five thousand dollars.
32		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-06.1 Authority to purchase retail installment contracts.	Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law: 1. A financing agency may purchase a retail installment contract from a seller on such terms and conditions and for such price as may be mutually agreed upon. 2. No filing of the assignment, no notice to the buyer of the assignment, and no requirement that the seller be deprived of dominion over payments upon the contract or over the personal property if repossessed by the seller, shall be necessary to the validity of a written assignment of a retail installment contract as against creditors, subsequent purchasers, pledgees, mortgagees, or encumbrancers of the seller.
33		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-06.2 Applicability	No provision of this chapter applies to a retail installment sale of personal property if: 1. The cash price of the personal property exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars; or 2. The personal property is to be used primarily for a business, commercial, or agricultural purpose, not a personal, family, or household purpose.
34		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-07 Enforcement - Powers - Remedies - Penalties.	Any person who willfully violates this chapter is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. A willful violation of section 51-13-02 or 51-13-03 by any person bars that person's recovery of any finance charge or delinquency or collection charge on the retail installment contract involved. A state's attorney or the attorney general may enforce this chapter. The attorney general in enforcing this chapter has all the powers provided in this chapter and chapter 51-15 and may seek all remedies in this chapter and chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter constitutes a violation of chapter 51-15. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties in chapter 51-15, or otherwise provided by law.
35		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-13-08 Waiver	Any waiver of the provisions of this chapter is unenforceable and void.
36		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Credit service charge” means the amount, however expressed, which the retail buyer contracts to pay or pays the retail seller in excess of the amount of credit extended, representing the total charges by the retail seller incident to investigating and extending credit under a revolving charge agreement and for extending to the retail buyer the privilege of paying over a period of time therefor. 2. “Retail buyer” or “buyer” means a person who buys personal property from a retail seller, or to whom a retail seller otherwise extends credit, pursuant to a revolving charge agreement. 3. “Retail seller” or “seller” means: a. A person that pursuant to a revolving charge agreement, agrees to sell or sells goods or services, other than medical services. The term does not include a medical services provider. b. A state-chartered or national bank that extends credit by the advancement of moneys or the payment for goods or services under a revolving charge agreement. 4. “Revolving charge agreement” means a written instrument, defining the terms of credit extended from time to time under the terms of the agreement. Under the agreement, the buyer's total unpaid balance, whenever incurred, is payable over a period of time and under the terms of which a credit service charge, other than the portion thereof consisting of late payment or other charges, is to be computed in relation to the buyer's unpaid balance from time to time.
37		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-02 Contents of revolving charge agreements - Requirements for delivery of monthly statements - Exception.	Every revolving charge agreement must be in writing and must be accepted by the retail buyer. As used in this section, “accepted” means the buyer has signed the revolving charge agreement, the buyer has used the account issued under a revolving charge agreement, or within thirty days from the date of issuance the buyer has not canceled by written notice a credit card or other access device issued under a revolving charge agreement. A copy of the revolving charge agreement must be delivered or mailed to the retail buyer by the retail seller before the date on which the first payment is due under the agreement. A revolving charge agreement must state the amount and rate of the credit service charge to be charged and paid under the agreement. The credit service charge, exclusive of late payment or other fees included therein, must be set forth in the revolving charge agreement in terms of a monthly or annual percentage rate to be applied to the balance outstanding from time to time under the agreement, as of the beginning or end of each billing period or on a daily basis. Upon written notice, a seller may change the terms of any revolving charge agreement, including the credit service charge, if this right of amendment has been reserved. A change under this authority is effective as to existing balances, if within twenty-five days of the effective date of the change, the buyer does not furnish written notice to the seller that the buyer does not agree to abide by the changes. Upon receipt of this written notice by the seller, the buyer has the remainder of the time under the existing terms in which to pay all sums owed to the seller. Any request for additional credit under a revolving charge agreement, including use of a credit card issued under the agreement, after the effective date of the change of terms, including a change in the credit service charge, is deemed to be an acceptance of the new terms, even though the twenty-five days has not expired. The retail seller under a revolving charge agreement shall promptly supply the retail buyer under the agreement with a statement as of the end of each monthly period or other regular period agreed upon by the retail seller and the retail buyer, in which there is any unpaid balance thereunder. Such statement must recite the following: 1. The unpaid balance under the revolving charge agreement at the beginning or end of the period. 2. An identification of the goods or services purchased, the cash purchase price and the date of each purchase, unless otherwise furnished by the retail seller to the retail buyer by sales slip, memorandum, or otherwise. 3. The payments made by the retail buyer to the retail seller and any other credits to the retail buyer during the period. 4. The amount of the credit service charge, if any, and also the percentage annual simple interest equivalent of this amount. 5. A legend to the effect that the retail buyer may at any time pay the total indebtedness. The items need not be stated in the sequence or order set forth in this section. Additional items may be included to explain the computations made in determining the amount to be paid by the retail buyer. If a revolving charge or credit account is also subject to the Truth in Lending Act [15 U.S.C. 1601-1667e], the seller may, instead of complying with this section, comply with all requirements of the Truth in Lending Act.
38		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-03 Limitation of credit service charge	In a revolving charge agreement, a seller may contract for and, if so contracted for, the seller or holder of the agreement may charge, receive, and collect the service charge authorized by this section. The service charge may not exceed the amount agreed to by the parties. In the event any payment by a buyer is insufficient to pay both the credit service charge and that portion of the outstanding indebtedness then due, the payments must first be applied to the credit service charge then due.
39		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-03.1 Additional charges on revolving charge accounts	The seller or holder of a revolving charge account may collect a late payment or other charge not to exceed the amount agreed to by the parties in the revolving charge account agreement.
40		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-03.2 Application of other provisions	Credit extended by a seller or holder of a revolving charge agreement to a buyer is not subject to chapter 13-04.1 or 47-14.
41		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-04. Scope of chapter--Effective date	The service charge allowed in section 51-14-03 shall be allowed to a seller or holder only: 1. If the seller enters into an agreement subject to the provisions of this chapter with any buyer on or after July 1, 1959; or 2. In the case of any buyer who had entered into an agreement with a seller prior to July 1, 1959, if the seller or holder delivers or mails to the buyer a copy of a retail installment credit agreement in conformity with this chapter duly executed on behalf of the seller and the seller or holder thereafter complies with all the other provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section contained may be construed to affect the validity or invalidity of any agreement or alleged agreement made prior to July 1, 1959.
42		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14-05 Penalty	Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any revolving charge account or any act in the making or collection of any revolving charge account which violates the provisions of this chapter shall result in the forfeiture of all credit service charges that have been paid or that may become due or payable thereunder, and in the event that such violation is willful, the retail seller shall have no right to collect, receive, or retain any principal, credit service charge, interest, or other charge whatsoever.
43		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14.1-01 Definition of credit cards and other terms and imposition of liability on cardholder.	In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Accepted credit card” means any credit card which the cardholder has requested in writing or has signed or has used, or authorized another to use, for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services on credit. A renewal credit card must be deemed to be accepted if it is issued within one year after a prior card has been paid for or used. A credit card issued in connection with a merger, acquisition, or the like of card issuers or credit card services in substitution for an accepted credit card must be deemed to be an accepted credit card. 2. “Adequate notice” means a writing which is conspicuous and which is printed on the credit card or on each periodic statement. 3. “Card issuer” means any person who issues a credit card. 4. “Cardholder” means any person to whom a credit card is issued or any person who has agreed with the card issuer to pay obligations arising from the issuance of a credit card to another person. 5. “Conspicuous” means any term or clause which is so written that a reasonable person against whom it is to operate ought to have noticed it. 6. “Credit card” means any card, plate, coupon book, or other credit device existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services on credit. 7. “Unauthorized use” means a use of a credit card by a person other than the cardholder who does not have actual, implied, or apparent authority for such use and from which the cardholder receives no benefit.
44		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14.1-02 Liability of cardholder	A provision imposing liability on a cardholder for the unauthorized use of a credit card is effective only if the card is an accepted credit card, the liability imposed is not in excess of one hundred dollars, the card issuer gives adequate notice to the cardholder of the potential liability, and the unauthorized use occurs before the cardholder has notified the card issuer of the loss or theft of the card or of any unauthorized use. Except as hereinbefore provided, a cardholder incurs no liability from the unauthorized use of either an accepted or an unaccepted credit card.
45		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14.1-03 Acceptance of check not conditioned on disclosure of credit card number--Use of credit card for identification allowed.	A person may not require, as a condition of acceptance of a check or other draft, that the person presenting the check provide a credit card number; nor may the person accepting the check or other draft record the credit card number. A person may request the person presenting the check to display a credit card as evidence of creditworthiness or as additional identification; however, only information concerning the type and issuer of the credit card may be recorded.
46		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14.1-04 Use of credit card when issuer guarantees cardholder checks allowed.	Sections 51-14.1-03 through 51-14.1-05 do not prohibit a person from recording a credit card number as a condition for cashing or accepting the check or other draft when that person has agreed with the card issuer to cash or accept checks or other drafts from the issuer's cardholders and the issuer guarantees cardholder checks or other drafts cashed or accepted by that person.
47		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-14.1-05 Penalty	Any person who violates any provision of sections 51-14.1-03 through 51-14.1-05 is guilty of an infraction.
48		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. “Advertisement” includes the attempt by publication, dissemination, solicitation, or circulation, oral or written, to induce, directly or indirectly, any person to enter into any obligation or acquire any title or interest in any merchandise. 2. “Attorney general” means the attorney general of North Dakota or the attorney general's authorized delegate. 3. “Merchandise” means any objects, wares, goods, commodities, intangibles, real estate, charitable contributions, or services. 4. “Person” means any natural person or the person's legal representative, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, company, trust, business entity, or association, and any agent, employee, salesman, partner, officer, director, member, stockholder, associate, trustee, or cestui que trust thereof. 5. “Sale” means any charitable solicitation or any sale, offer for sale, or attempt to sell any merchandise for any consideration.
49		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-02 Unlawful practices - Fraud - Misrepresentation - Unconscionable.	The act, use, or employment by any person of any deceptive act or practice, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation, with the intent that others rely thereon in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise, whether or not any person has in fact been misled, deceived, or damaged thereby, is declared to be an unlawful practice. The act, use, or employment by any person of any act or practice, in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise, which is unconscionable or which causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to a person which is not reasonably avoidable by the injured person and not outweighed by countervailing benefits to consumers or to competition, is declared to be an unlawful practice.
50		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-02.1 Use of check endorsements for advertising obligations prohibited.	It is a deceptive act or practice in violation of this chapter for a person to offer, through the mail or by other means, a check that contains an obligation to advertise with a person upon the endorsement of a check
51		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-02.2 Solicitation of payment by bill, invoice, or statement of account due.	It is a deceptive act or practice in violation of this chapter for a person to send, deliver, or transmit a bill, an invoice, or a statement of account due, or a writing that could reasonably be interpreted as a bill, an invoice, or a statement of account due, to solicit payment of money by another person for goods not yet ordered or for services not yet performed and not yet ordered.
52		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-02.3 Facilitating and assisting.	It is a deceptive act or practice in violation of this chapter for any person to provide assistance or support to any person engaged in any act or practice in violation of this chapter when the person providing assistance or support knows or consciously avoids knowing that the other person is engaged in an act or practice in violation of this chapter. This section does not authorize a private claim for relief for a violation of this section and no entity other than the attorney general may enforce this section.
53		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-03 Advertising media excluded.	Nothing herein contained applies to the owner or publisher of newspapers, magazines, publication of printed matter wherein such advertisement appears, or to the owner or operator of a radio or television station which disseminates such advertisement when the owner, publisher, or operator has no knowledge of the intent, design, or purpose of the advertiser.
54		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-04 Powers of attorney general.	When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, or when the attorney general believes it to be in the public interest to investigate whether a person in fact has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any unlawful practice under this chapter or other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, the attorney general may: 1. Require that person to file, on forms the attorney general prescribes, a statement or report in writing, under oath or otherwise, of all the facts and circumstances concerning the sale or advertisement of merchandise by that person, as well as other data and information the attorney general may determine necessary. 2. Examine under oath any person in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise. 3. Examine any merchandise or sample thereof, record, book, document, account, or paper as the attorney general may determine necessary. 4. Pursuant to an order of a district court impound any merchandise or sample thereof, record, book, document, account, or paper material to that practice and retain the same in the attorney general's possession until the completion of all proceedings undertaken under this section or in the courts.
55		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-05 Subpoena--Hearing--Rules	To accomplish the objectives and to carry out the duties prescribed by this chapter or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, the attorney general, in addition to other powers conferred upon the attorney general by this chapter, may issue subpoenas to any person, administer an oath or affirmation to any person, conduct hearings in aid of any investigation or inquiry, and prescribe forms and adopt rules as may be necessary.
56		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-06 Failure to supply information or obey subpoena.	If any person fails or refuses to file any statement or report, or obey any subpoena issued by the attorney general, the attorney general may, after notice, apply to a district court and, after hearing thereon, request an order: 1. Granting injunctive relief, restraining the sale or advertisement of any merchandise by such persons; 2. Vacating, annulling, or suspending the charter of a for-profit or nonprofit corporation or limited liability company created by or under the laws of this state or revoking or suspending the certificate of authority to do business in this state of a foreign corporation or limited liability company or revoking or suspending any other licenses, permits, or certificates issued pursuant to law to such person which are used to further the allegedly unlawful practice; and 3. Granting such other relief as may be required; until the person files the statement or obeys the subpoena.
57		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-06.1 Assurance of voluntary compliance.	The attorney general may accept an assurance of voluntary compliance for any act or practice the attorney general determines to be in violation of this chapter, or other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, 51-18, 51-28, 51-29, 51-30, 51-31, 51-33, or 51-34, from any person the attorney general alleges is engaging in, or has engaged in, the act or practice. The assurance of voluntary compliance must be in writing and must be filed with and is subject to the approval of the district court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has as a principal place of business, conducts business, or in Burleigh County. Failure to comply with an assurance of voluntary compliance which has been approved by the district court is contempt of court.
58		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-07 Remedies - Injunction - Other relief -Receiver - Cease and desist orders - Civil penalties - Costs recoverable in adjudicative proceedings.	Whenever it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter, or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, the attorney general may seek and obtain in an action in a district court an injunction prohibiting that person from continuing the unlawful practice or engaging in the unlawful practice or doing any act in furtherance of the unlawful practice after appropriate notice to that person. The notice must state generally the relief sought and be served at least ten days before the hearing of the action. The court may make an order or judgment as may be necessary to prevent the use or employment by a person of any unlawful practices, or which may be necessary to restore to any person in interest any money, or property that may have been acquired by means of any practice in this chapter, or in other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, declared to be unlawful, including the appointment of a receiver. When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, a practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter, or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, and that the person is about to conceal assets or oneself or leave the state, the attorney general may apply to the district court, ex parte, for an order appointing a receiver of the assets of that person. Upon a showing made by affidavit or other evidence that the person has engaged in, or is engaging in, a practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter and that the person is about to conceal assets or oneself or leave the state, the court shall order the appointment of a receiver to receive the assets of the person. When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, a practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter, or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, or by an order of the attorney general issued under this chapter, the attorney general, without notice and hearing, may issue any cease and desist order, which the attorney general deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest, including if a person fails or refuses to file a statement or report, or to obey a subpoena issued by the attorney general under this chapter, or under other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18. In addition to any other remedy authorized by this chapter, or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, the attorney general may impose by order and collect a civil penalty against a person found in an adjudicative proceeding to have violated a cease and desist order issued pursuant to this section, in an amount not more than one thousand dollars for each violation. The attorney general may bring an action in district court to recover penalties under this section. A person aggrieved by an order issued under this section may request a hearing before the attorney general if a written request is made within ten days after the receipt of the order. An adjudicative proceeding under this section must be conducted in accordance with chapter 28-32, unless otherwise specifically provided herein. If the attorney general prevails in an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to this section, the attorney general may assess the nonprevailing person for all adjudicative proceeding and hearing costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and expenses of any investigation and action.
59		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-08. Powers of receiver	When a receiver is appointed by the court pursuant to this chapter, the receiver may sue for, collect, receive, or take into possession all the goods and chattels, rights and credits, moneys and effects, lands and tenements, books, records, documents, papers, choses in action, bills, notes, and property of every description, derived by means of any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter, or by other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, including property with which the property has been commingled if it cannot be identified in kind because of the commingling, and sell, convey, and assign the property and hold and dispose of the proceeds under the direction of the court. Any person who has suffered damages as a result of the use or employment of any unlawful practices and submits proof to the satisfaction of the court that that person has in fact been damaged may participate with general creditors in the distribution of the assets to the extent that person has sustained out-of-pocket losses. The court has jurisdiction of all questions arising in these proceedings and may make orders and judgments therein as may be required.
60		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-09 Claims not barred.	Except as provided in section 51-15-02.3, this chapter does not bar any claim for relief by any person against any person who has acquired any moneys or property by means of any practice declared to be unlawful in this chapter. If the court finds the defendant knowingly committed the conduct, the court may order that the person commencing the action recover up to three times the actual damages proven and the court must order that the person commencing the action recover costs, disbursements, and actual reasonable attorney's fees incurred in the action.
61		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-10 Costs recoverable.	In any action brought under the provisions of this chapter, or under other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18, the court shall award to the attorney general reasonable attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and expenses of any investigation and action brought under this chapter, or under other provisions of law, including chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18. All attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and expenses received by the attorney general under this section must be deposited into the attorney general refund fund.
62		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-15-11. Civil penalties.	The court may assess for the benefit of the state a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each violation of this chapter or for each violation of chapter 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, or 51-18. The penalty provided in this section is in addition to those remedies otherwise provided by this chapter or by chapter 50-22, 51-12, 51-13, 51-14, 51-16.1, or 51-18.
63		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-16.1-01 Definitions.	As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. “Compensation” includes a payment based on a sale or distribution made to a person who either is a participant in a pyramid promotional scheme or has the right to become a participant upon payment. 2. “Consideration” means the payment of cash or the purchase of goods, services, or intangible property but does not include: a. The purchase of goods or services furnished at cost to be used in making sales and not for resale; or b. Time and effort spent in pursuit of sales or recruiting activities. 3. “Pyramid promotional scheme” means any plan or operation by which a participant gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation which is derived primarily from any person's introduction of other persons into participation in the plan or operation rather than from the sale of goods, services, or intangible property by the participant or other persons introduced into the plan or operation.
64		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-16.1-02. Pyramid promotional schemes prohibited - Defenses excluded.	1. No person may establish, operate, advertise, or promote a pyramid promotional scheme. 2. It is not a defense to a criminal or civil prosecution under this section that: a. The plan contains a limitation as to the number of persons who may participate or the presence of additional conditions affecting eligibility for the opportunity to receive compensation under the plan or operation; or b. A participant, on giving consideration, obtains any goods, services, or intangible property in addition to the right to receive compensation.
65		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-16.1-03 Referral selling prohibited.	No seller or lessor may give or offer a rebate, discount, or anything of value to a buyer or lessee as an inducement for a sale or lease in consideration of the buyer or lessee giving to the seller or lessor the names of prospective purchasers or lessees, or otherwise aiding the seller or lessor in making a sale to another person, if the earning of the rebate, discount, or other thing of value is contingent upon the occurrence of an event subsequent to the time the buyer or lessee agrees to the sale or lease.
66		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-16.1-04 Penalty--Civil remedies.	Any person, including the officers and directors of any company, violating any of the provisions of this chapter is: 1. Guilty of a class A misdemeanor, but a person who has been previously convicted of a class A misdemeanor under this chapter may be charged with and convicted of a class C felony for any violation which occurs after the previous conviction; 2. Deemed to have committed an unlawful practice in violation of section 51-15-02 and subject to all provisions, procedures, and penalties of chapter 51-15; and 3. Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, subject to the right of any purchaser in a pyramid promotional scheme or referral selling scheme to declare the sale or contract void and also subject to an action in a court of competent jurisdiction by any purchaser to recover three times the damages sustained by the purchaser in participating in the scheme, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
67		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-16.1-05 Scope of remedies.	1. The rights and remedies that this chapter grants to purchasers in pyramid promotional schemes and referral selling schemes are independent of and supplemental to any other right or remedy available to them in law or equity, and nothing contained herein may be construed to diminish or to abrogate any such right or remedy. 2. The provisions of this chapter are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties available to the state or any of its governmental agencies.
68		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-01. Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Consumer goods or services” means goods or services purchased, leased, or rented primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, including courses of instruction or training regardless of the purpose for which they are taken. 2. “Person” includes a corporation, limited liability company, company, partnership, firm, association, or society, as well as a natural person. When the word “person” is used to designate the party whose property may be the subject of a criminal or public offense, the term includes the United States, this state, or any territory, state, or country, or any political subdivision of this state which may lawfully own any property, or a public or private corporation, limited liability company, or partnership or association. When the word “person” is used to designate the violator or offender of any law, it includes corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or any association of persons. 3. “Personal solicitation sale” means a sale, lease, or rental of consumer goods or services in which the seller or the seller's representative solicits the sale, lease, or rental, by telephone or in person, and the buyer's agreement or offer to purchase is made at a place other than the place of business of the person soliciting the same and that agreement or offer to purchase is there given to the seller or the seller's representative. A transaction is not a personal solicitation sale if it is made pursuant to prior negotiations between the parties at a business establishment at a fixed location where goods or services are offered or exhibited for sale, lease, or rental. 4. “Seller” means a person who makes a personal solicitation sale. 5. “Seller's representative” means a person who makes a personal solicitation sale on behalf of a seller. 6. “Telepromoter” means any person who, individually, through salespersons or agents, or through the use of an automatic dialing-announcing device initiates telephone contact with a consumer or who by written notice requests that the consumer contact the person by telephone and who represents one or more of the following: a. That if the consumer buys one or more items from the telepromoter, the consumer will also receive additional or other items, whether or not of the same type as purchased, without further cost or at a cost which the seller states or implies is less than the regular price of those items. b. That a consumer will receive a prize, premium, or gift if the telepromoter also encourages the consumer to do either of the following: (1) Purchase or rent any goods or services. (2) Pay any money, including a delivery or handling charge. c. That the consumer has in any manner been specially selected to receive the written notice or the offer contained in the written notice. The term does not include any nonprofit or charitable organization exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)].
69		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-02 Cancellation period - Method of cancellation - Intent.	1. In addition to any right otherwise to revoke an offer, the buyer may cancel a personal solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day after the day on which the buyer signs an agreement that complies with this chapter. A buyer sixty-five years of age or older may cancel a personal solicitation sale of a product with a purchase price greater than fifty dollars until midnight of the fifteenth business day after the day on which the buyer enters into an enforceable agreement subject to this chapter or must be provided a written agreement that meets the requirements of section 51-18-04. In addition to other requirements of this chapter, the seller shall orally inform the buyer, at the time the transaction is entered into, of the buyer's right to cancel. 2. Cancellation occurs when the buyer gives written notice of cancellation to the seller at the address specified for notice of cancellation provided by the seller by any of the following methods: a. Delivering written notice to the seller. b. Mailing written notice to the seller. c. Sending a telegram to the seller. 3. Notice of cancellation given by the buyer is effective if it indicates the intention on the part of the buyer not to be bound by the personal solicitation sale.
70		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-03 Referral sales--Rebate or discount violations	No seller in a personal solicitation sale may offer to pay a commission or give a rebate or discount to the buyer in consideration of the buyer's giving to the seller the names of prospective purchasers or otherwise aiding the seller in making a sale to another person, if the earning of the commission, rebate, or discount is contingent upon an event that is to happen subsequent to the time the buyer agrees to buy. Any sale made in respect to which a commission, rebate, or discount is offered in violation of this chapter is voidable at the option of the buyer.
71		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-04 Agreement requirement.	No agreement of the buyer in a personal solicitation sale is enforceable unless it is in writing, dated, contains the signature of the buyer, and contains a conspicuous notice in substantially the following form: NOTICE TO BUYER 1. Do not sign this agreement if any of the spaces intended for the agreed terms to the extent of then available information are left blank. 2. You are entitled to a copy of this agreement at the time you sign it. 3. You may pay off the full unpaid balance due under this agreement at any time, and in so doing you may receive a full rebate of the unearned finance and insurance charges. 4. You may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of this right. 5. The seller cannot enter your premises unlawfully or commit any breach of the peace to repossess goods purchased under this agreement. The agreement must also have attached the following completed form, in duplicate: NOTICE OF CANCELLATION (Enter date of transaction) 1. You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation, within three business days from the above date. 2. If you cancel, any property traded in, any payments made by you under the contract or sale, and any negotiable instrument executed by you will be returned within ten business days following receipt by the seller of your cancellation notice, and any security interest arising out of the transaction will be canceled. 3. If you cancel, you must make available to the seller at your residence, in substantially as good condition as when received, any goods delivered to you under this contract or sale; or you may, if you wish, comply with the instructions of the seller regarding the return shipment of the goods at the seller's expense and risk. 4. If you do make the goods available to the seller and the seller does not pick them up within twenty days of the date of your notice of cancellation, you may retain or dispose of the goods without any further obligation. If you fail to make the goods available to the seller, or if you agree to return the goods to the seller and fail to do so, then you remain liable for performance of all obligations under the contract. 5. To cancel this transaction, mail or deliver a signed and dated copy of this cancellation notice or any other written notice, or send a telegram, to (name of seller), at (address of seller's place of business) not later than midnight of (date). I hereby cancel this transaction. (Date) (Buyer's signature) If the buyer is sixty-five years of age or older, and the purchase price of the product is greater than fifty dollars, the agreement required by this chapter must either state that the buyer may cancel the agreement within fifteen business days in accordance with this chapter, or state in a conspicuous manner that if the buyer is not satisfied with the product for any reason, the buyer may contact the seller within a period of not less than thirty days from the date of purchase for a full refund of the purchase price, if the product has not been intentionally damaged or misused.
72		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-04.1 Notice to consumer--Contract requirement for sales by telepromoter.	In addition to the requirements of section 51-18-04, an agreement by a consumer to obtain a consumer good or service from a telepromoter is not enforceable unless it contains the following information: 1. The name, address, and telephone number of the telepromoter; 2. A statement of the price or fee, including any handling, shipping, delivery, or other charge being requested; 3. A detailed description of the consumer good or service; and 4. In a type size in a minimum of twelve points, in a space immediately preceding the space allotted for the consumer signature, the statement: “YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY ANY MONEY UNLESS YOU SIGN THIS CONTRACT AND RETURN IT TO THE SELLER.”
73		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-04.2 Credit card charges.	A telepromoter, seller, or seller's representative, in a personal solicitation sale, may not make or submit any charge to the consumer's credit card or bank account, or otherwise solicit or accept any advance payment, until the telepromoter , seller, or seller's representative has received from the consumer an original copy of a contract that complies with this section.
74		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-04.3 Agreement by telepromoter or seller in violation of chapter void.	Any agreement for sale, lease, or rental of a consumer good or service in a personal solicitation sale by a telepromoter, seller, or seller's representative in violation of this chapter is unenforceable and void.
75		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-05 Evidence of indebtedness.	1. A note or other evidence of indebtedness given by a buyer in respect of a personal solicitation sale must be dated not earlier than the date of the agreement or offer to purchase. Any transfer of a note or other evidence of indebtedness bearing the statement required by subsection 2 must be deemed an assignment only and any right, title, or interest which the transferee may acquire thereby is subject to all claims and defenses of the buyer against the seller pursuant to this chapter. 2. Each note or other evidence of indebtedness given by a buyer in respect of a personal solicitation sale must bear on its face a conspicuous statement as follows: “This instrument is based upon a personal solicitation sale, which is subject to the provisions of the North Dakota Century Code. This instrument is not negotiable.” 3. Compliance with the requirements of this section is a condition precedent to any claim for relief by the seller or any transferee of an instrument bearing the statement required under subsection 2 against the buyer upon such instrument and must be pleaded and proved by any person who may institute an action or suit against a buyer in respect thereof.
76		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-06 Time limitation--Disposition of goods.	1. Except as provided in this section, within ten days after a personal solicitation sale has been canceled, the seller shall tender to the buyer any payments made by the buyer and any note or other evidence of indebtedness and shall take any action necessary to promptly terminate any security interest created in the transaction. 2. If the downpayment includes goods traded in, the goods must be tendered in substantially as good condition as when received. If the seller fails to tender the goods as provided by this section, the buyer may elect to recover an amount equal to the trade-in allowance stated in the agreement. 3. The buyer may retain possession of goods delivered to the buyer by the seller and has a lien on the goods for any recovery to which the buyer is entitled until the seller has complied with the obligations imposed by this section.
77		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-07 Buyer responsibility--Services.	1. Except as provided in subsection 3 of section 51-18-05, within twenty days after a personal solicitation sale has been canceled, the buyer upon demand shall tender to the seller any goods delivered by the seller pursuant to the sale, but the buyer is not obligated to tender at any place other than the buyer's own address. If the seller fails to take possession of such goods within twenty days after cancellation, the goods become the property of the buyer without obligation to pay for them. 2. The buyer shall take reasonable care of the goods in the buyer's possession both prior to cancellation and during the following twenty-day period. During the twenty-day period after cancellation, except for the buyer's duty of care, the goods are at the seller's risk. 3. If the seller has performed any services pursuant to a personal solicitation sale prior to its cancellation, and if the seller's services result in the alteration of property of the buyer, the seller shall restore the property to substantially as good condition as it was in at the time the services were rendered. 4. The buyer may not cancel a personal solicitation sale if the buyer initiates the contract with the seller and requests the seller to provide goods or services without delay and the seller in good faith makes a substantial beginning of performance before notice of cancellation, and the goods cannot be returned to the seller in substantially as good condition as when the buyer received them.
78		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-07.1 Place of transaction.	Any sale subject to this chapter is considered to have taken place in the state where the consumer resides, regardless of the location of the seller.
79		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-08 Exceptions.	The provisions of this chapter do not apply to: 1. Sales of insurance. 2. Sales of goods or services with a purchase price of less than twenty-five dollars. 3. Sales of services provided by a cable television system licensed or franchised by any city. 4. Sale of a subscription to or advertising in a newspaper of general circulation. 5. Sales of services or advertising by a broadcaster licensed by the federal communications commission. 6. Telecommunications companies regulated by the public service commission under title 49 or regulated by the federal communications commission. 7. Sales when the seller provides that the consumer may receive a full refund for the return of undamaged and unused goods if the consumer requests a refund no later than fifteen days after the date the consumer receives the goods and if the seller provides the refund within thirty days after the date the seller receives the returned goods from the consumer. The return and refund privilege must be disclosed to the consumer orally and in writing with delivery of the goods. 8. Sales when the seller provides that the consumer may receive a full refund for a cancellation of services if the consumer requests a refund no later than fifteen days after the date the consumer receives the services and if the seller provides the refund within thirty days after the consumer cancels the order for the purchase of services not performed or provides a proportional refund for any services not yet performed for the consumer. The return and refund privilege must be disclosed to the consumer orally and in writing with delivery of the services.
80		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-08.1 Waiver	Any waiver of this chapter is unenforceable and void.
81		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-18-09 Enforcement--Powers--Remedies--Penalty.	Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. The state's attorney or attorney general may enforce this chapter. The attorney general in enforcing this chapter has all the powers provided in this chapter and chapter 51-15 and may seek all remedies in this chapter and chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter constitutes a violation of chapter 51-15. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties in chapter 51-15, or otherwise provided by law.
82		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-22-01 Definitions.	As used in this chapter: 1. “Business entity” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or other group, however organized and whether or not organized to operate at a profit, doing business in this state. 2. “Data processing services” means any systematic sequence of operations, including but not limited to bookkeeping functions, inventory control, storage, or manipulation and retrieval of management or personnel information, performed upon data by electronic devices which perform logical, arithmetic, and memory functions by the manipulation of electronic or magnetic impulses. The term does not include operations performed by telecommunication devices. 3. “Individual” means a natural person. 4. “Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm, association, or governmental entity. 5. “Record” means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual or business entity.
83		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-22-02 Prohibition against disclosure except upon written consent - Application of section.	1. No business entity which charges a fee for data processing services performed may disclose in whole or in part the contents of any record, including the disclosure of information contained in the record through inclusion in any composite of information, which is prepared or maintained by such business entity to any person, other than the individual or business entity which is the subject of the record, without the express written consent of such individual or business entity. 2. This section does not apply to the following: a. A disclosure to any person pursuant to a subpoena or court order. b. A disclosure which is discoverable pursuant to the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure. c. A disclosure to any person pursuant to a lawful search warrant.
84		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-22-03 Initiation of civil action--Liability for damages--Limitation.	1. A person may initiate a civil action against a business entity in accordance with state law whenever a business entity violates the provisions of section 51-22-02. 2. In any suit brought pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1, a business entity which has violated section 51-22-02 is liable to the person in an amount equal to the actual damages sustained by the person as a result of such violation, but in no case less than five hundred dollars. 3. An action to enforce any liability created under this chapter may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction within two years from the date on which the claim for relief arose.
85		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Assistive technology device” means any item, piece of equipment, or product system that a consumer purchases or accepts transfer of in this state and which is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. a. The term includes: (1) Manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and other aids that enhance the mobility or positioning of an individual, such as positioning features, the switches and controls for any motorized or nonmotorized features, and hydraulic or nonhydraulic lifts or elevators designed to transport an individual from one location or level to another in private personal vehicles or private residences. (2) Telephone communication devices for the deaf, assistive listening devices, and other aids that enhance an individual's ability to hear, except for hearing instruments excluded by subdivision b. (3) Voice-synthesized computer modules, optical scanners, talking software, braille printers, artificial larynges, voice amplification devices, alternative augmentative communication devices, and other devices that enhance an individual's ability to communicate, except for those items excluded by subdivision b. (4) Voice recognition computer equipment, software and hardware accommodations, switches, and other forms of alternative access to computers. (5) Adapted environmental control units. (6) Any other assistive device, instrument, apparatus, or any component, part, or accessory that enables an individual with a disability to perform tasks such as communicating, speaking, seeing, hearing, maneuvering, moving, walking, standing, reaching, grasping, working, sleeping, learning, or caring for oneself, or which is used or intended to be used to assist, affect, or replace the structure or any function of the body of an individual with a disability, except for those items excluded by subdivision b. b. The term does not include: (1) Devices that are modified or customized pursuant to consumer design and specifications; (2) Hearing instruments as defined in subsection 2 of section 43-33-01; (3) Eyeglasses; (4) A surgical implant performed by a physician or surgeon; or (5) A restoration or dental prosthesis provided by a dentist. 2. “Commercial lessor” means a person who is in the business of leasing assistive technology devices to consumers or who holds the lessor's rights. 3. “Commercial seller” means a person who is in the business of selling or manufacturing assistive technology devices. 4. “Consumer” means: a. The purchaser of an assistive technology device from a commercial seller for personal use; b. A person to whom an assistive technology device is transferred for personal use when all express warranties have not yet expired; c. A person who may enforce the warranty on an assistive technology device; d. A person who leases an assistive technology device from a commercial lessor; or e. The parent or guardian of a person who is a consumer under subdivisions a through d. 5. a. “In need of repair” means: (1) A specific condition, generic defect, or malfunction that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of an assistive technology device or any of its component parts; or (2) The assistive technology device or a component of the assistive technology device fails to conform to: (a) Any applicable express warranties; or (b) Any implied warranties including the implied warranty of merchantability described in section 41-02-31 and the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose described in section 41-02-32. b. The term does not include a condition or defect that is the result of abuse or unforeseen alteration of the assistive technology device by the consumer. 6. “Loaner” means an assistive technology device that is loaned to the user without charge while repairs are made to the user's assistive technology device. A loaner must: a. Be in good working order; b. Perform the essential functions of the assistive technology device that is being repaired, considering the needs of the user; and c. Not create a threat to the safety of the user. 7. “Manufacturer” means: a. A person who manufactures or assembles assistive technology devices; b. A person who manufactures or assembles any part of an assistive technology device; and c. All persons involved in the manufacture, distribution, or sales of assistive technology devices up to the final retail seller or commercial lessor. 8. “Reasonable attempt to repair” means that, within one year after first delivery of the assistive technology device to a consumer or within the life of an express warranty, whichever is longer: a. The assistive technology device is presented to the commercial seller in need of repair at least four times and it is again in need of repair; or b. The assistive technology device is in need of repair and available to the seller for repair for at least thirty days. These thirty days may be consecutive or nonconsecutive. 9. “Transaction costs” means expenses caused by a covered repair including the costs of a loaner.
86		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-02 Express written warranties for assistive technology devices.	1. A manufacturer who sells an assistive technology device to a consumer, either directly or through another commercial seller, shall furnish the consumer with an express written warranty to preserve and maintain the utility and performance of the assistive technology device. 2. The express written warranty must be in effect for at least one year after first delivery of the assistive technology device to the consumer. 3. If a manufacturer fails to furnish an express written warranty to the consumer, the assistive technology device must be covered by an express warranty that meets the requirements of this section. 4. An express written warranty must guarantee that the assistive technology device: a. Has no defects in parts or performance; and b. Is free from any condition and defect that would substantially impair the device's use, value, or safety to the consumer.
87		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-03 Warranty claims.	1. A consumer may present a warranty claim for an assistive technology device by: a. Reporting the warranty problem to the manufacturer, the commercial lessor, or the commercial seller within the life of the express warranty; and b. Making the assistive technology device reasonably available to the manufacturer, the commercial lessor, or the commercial seller for repair. 2. If the terms of a warranty are invoked and a warranty claim is made, the assistive technology device must be repaired at no charge to the consumer, including parts, labor, shipping, delivery, and all other costs, regardless of whether the repairs are made after the expiration of the warranty period. 3. The commercial seller or the commercial lessor shall provide the consumer with a loaner and with reimbursement for transaction costs to the consumer from the repair: a. If the repair period is expected to be at least ten days; or b. If the repair period is not expected to be ten days but actually is ten days or more. 4. The costs of any warranty repair, loaner, or transaction costs due the consumer from the repair are to be borne in the first instance by the commercial seller or commercial lessor. The commercial seller and the commercial lessor may have rights to reimbursement or compensation from the manufacturer or other prior parties in the sales or distribution chain. Those rights of the commercial seller or commercial lessor are not affected by this chapter.
88		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-04 Remedies--Sales.	1. If, after a reasonable attempt to repair by the commercial seller or manufacturer, the assistive technology device is not repaired, the warranty is considered breached. 2. If the warranty is breached, the consumer may return the assistive technology device to the commercial seller that sold the device and the consumer may choose to either: a. Receive a new replacement assistive technology device from the commercial seller and be reimbursed by the commercial seller for transaction costs; or b. Receive a full refund of the purchase price plus any finance charges from the commercial seller and be reimbursed by the commercial seller for transaction costs. 3. The following conditions apply to the remedies in this section: a. The commercial seller is allowed up to thirty days after return of the original assistive technology device to pay transaction costs to the consumer and to provide the consumer with either a new replacement assistive technology device or a full refund of the purchase price plus any finance charges. b. If a new replacement assistive technology device is not provided or if a full refund is not paid when the consumer returns the original assistive technology device, the commercial seller must provide a loaner to the consumer to use until the commercial seller has provided to the consumer a new replacement assistive technology device or a full refund of the purchase price plus any finance charges. c. The consumer may not be required to deal directly with any person other than the commercial seller that sold the assistive technology device. If agreeable, the consumer may deal with the manufacturer or other prior parties in the sales or distribution chain. If the commercial seller is no longer selling assistive technology devices, the consumer may deal with the seller's successor. d. The costs of a new replacement assistive technology device, a full refund, any loaner, and transaction costs due the consumer are to be borne in the first instance by the commercial seller. The commercial seller may have rights to reimbursement or compensation from the manufacturer or other prior parties in the sales or distribution chain. Those rights of the commercial seller are not affected by this chapter.
89		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-05 Remedies--Leases	1. If, after a reasonable attempt to repair by the commercial lessor or manufacturer, the assistive technology device is not repaired, the warranty is considered breached. 2. If the warranty is breached, the consumer may return the assistive technology device to the commercial lessor that leased the device and the consumer may choose to either: a. Receive a new replacement assistive technology device from the commercial lessor; or b. Receive a full refund from the commercial lessor of all moneys paid under the lease, including all finance charges. 3. The following conditions apply to the remedies in this section: a. The commercial lessor is allowed up to thirty days after return of the original assistive technology device to provide to the consumer either a new replacement assistive technology device or a full refund of all moneys paid under the lease, including any finance charges. b. If a new replacement assistive technology device is not provided or if a full refund is not paid when the consumer returns the original assistive technology device, the commercial lessor shall provide a loaner to the consumer to use until the lessor has provided to the consumer a new replacement assistive technology device or a full refund of all moneys paid under the lease, including any finance charges. c. The consumer may not recover transaction costs and the commercial lessor may not recover for use of the assistive technology device before the return of the device on a warranty claim. d. The consumer may not be required to deal directly with any person other than the commercial lessor that leased the assistive technology device. If agreeable, the consumer may deal with the manufacturer or other prior parties in the leasing, sales, or distribution chain. If the commercial lessor is no longer dealing in assistive technology devices, the consumer may deal with the lessor's successor. e. The costs of a new replacement assistive technology device, a full refund, and any loaner are to be borne in the first instance by the commercial lessor. The commercial lessor may have rights to reimbursement or compensation from the manufacturer or other prior parties in the leasing, sales, or distribution chain. Those rights of the commercial lessor are not affected by this chapter.
90		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-06 Thirty-day return.	A commercial seller or commercial lessor who sells or leases an assistive technology device to a consumer may not refuse to accept a return of the assistive technology device within thirty days after the purchase or lease if the assistive technology device has not met the needs of the consumer.
91		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-07 Sale or lease of a returned assistive technology device.	No assistive technology device returned by a consumer or lessor may be sold or leased again in this state unless full disclosure of the reasons for the return of the device is made to the consumer.
92		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-24-08 Other remedies--Penalties.	1. This chapter does not limit rights or remedies available to a consumer under any other law or contract. 2. Any waiver of rights by a consumer under this chapter, any waiver of the implied warranty of merchantability for an assistive technology device, and any waiver of the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose for an assistive technology device is void. 3. In addition to pursuing any other remedy, a consumer may bring an action to recover for any damages caused by a violation of this chapter. The court shall award a consumer who prevails in an action to recover damages caused by a violation of this chapter twice the amount of any pecuniary loss together with costs, disbursements, reasonable attorney's fees, and any equitable relief that the court finds appropriate. 4. Any right to bring a class action under this chapter is properly regulated by the judiciary. The supreme court, acting in its rulemaking capacity or otherwise, has full authority under the Constitution of North Dakota to regulate class actions.
93		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-25-01 Definitions.	1. “Adjusted for inflation” means increased in accordance with the formula for inflation adjustment set forth in exhibit C to the master settlement agreement. 2. “Affiliate” means a person who directly or indirectly owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, another person. Solely for purposes of this definition, the terms “owns”, “is owned”, and “ownership” mean ownership of an equity interest, or the equivalent thereof, of ten percent or more, and the term “person” means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or any other organization or group of persons. 3. “Allocable share” means allocable share as that term is defined in the master settlement agreement. 4. “Cigarette” means any product that contains nicotine, is intended to be burned or heated under ordinary conditions of use, and consists of or contains: a. Any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco; b. Tobacco, in any form, that is functional in the product, which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette; or c. Any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in subdivision a. The term “cigarette” includes “roll-your-own”, which means any tobacco that, because of its appearance, type, packaging, or labeling is suitable for use and likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as tobacco for making cigarettes. For purposes of this definition of “cigarette”, 0.09 ounces [2.556 grams] of “roll-your-own” tobacco constitutes one individual “cigarette”. 5. “Master settlement agreement” means the settlement agreement and related documents entered on November 23, 1998, by the state and leading United States tobacco product manufacturers. 6. “Qualified escrow fund” means an escrow arrangement with a federally or state chartered financial institution having no affiliation with any tobacco product manufacturer and having assets of at least one billion dollars if the arrangement requires that the financial institution hold the escrowed funds' principal for the benefit of releasing parties and prohibits the tobacco product manufacturer placing the funds into escrow from using, accessing, or directing the use of the funds' principal except as consistent with subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 51-25-02. 7. “Released claims” means released claims as that term is defined in the master settlement agreement. 8. “Releasing parties” means releasing parties as that term is defined in the master settlement agreement. 9. “Tobacco product manufacturer” means an entity that after April 8, 1999, directly, and not exclusively through any affiliate: a. Manufactures cigarettes anywhere that the manufacturer intends to be sold in the United States, including cigarettes intended to be sold in the United States through an importer (except when the importer is an original participating manufacturer, as that term is defined in the master settlement agreement, which will be responsible for the payments under the master settlement agreement with respect to such cigarettes as a result of the provisions of subsection II(mm) of the master settlement agreement and which pays the taxes specified in subsection II(z) of the master settlement agreement, and provided that the manufacturer of such cigarettes does not market or advertise the cigarettes in the United States); b. Is the first purchaser anywhere for resale in the United States of cigarettes manufactured anywhere which the manufacturer does not intend to be sold in the United States; or c. Becomes a successor of an entity described in subdivision a or b. The term “tobacco product manufacturer” does not include an affiliate of a tobacco product manufacturer unless the affiliate itself falls within subdivision a, b, or c. 10. “Units sold” means the number of individual cigarettes sold in the state by the applicable tobacco product manufacturer, whether directly or through a distributor, retailer, or similar intermediary or intermediaries, during the year in question, as measured by excise taxes collected by the state on packs or “roll-your-own” tobacco containers. The state tax commissioner shall adopt rules as are necessary to ascertain the amount of state excise tax paid on the cigarettes of the tobacco product manufacturer for each year.
94		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-25-02 Requirements.	A tobacco product manufacturer selling cigarettes to consumers within the state, whether directly or through a distributor, retailer, or similar intermediary or intermediaries, after April 8, 1999, must do one of the following: 1. Become a participating manufacturer, as that term is defined in section II(jj) of the master settlement agreement, and generally perform its financial obligations under the master settlement agreement; or 2. a. Place into a qualified escrow fund by April fifteenth of the year following the year in question, the following amounts, as such amounts are adjusted for inflation: (1) 1999: $.0094241 per unit sold after April 8, 1999; (2) 2000: $.0104712 per unit sold; (3) For each of 2001 and 2002: $.0136125 per unit sold; (4) For each of 2003 through 2006: $.0167539 per unit sold; and (5) For each of 2007 and each year thereafter: $.0188482 per unit sold. b. A tobacco product manufacturer that places funds into escrow pursuant to subdivision a shall receive the interest or other appreciation on the funds as earned. The funds may be released from escrow only under the following circumstances: (1) To pay a judgment or settlement on any released claim brought against the tobacco product manufacturer by the state or any releasing party located or residing in the state. Funds must be released from escrow under this paragraph in the order in which they were placed into escrow and only to the extent and at the time necessary to make payments required under the judgment or settlement; (2) To the extent that a tobacco product manufacturer establishes that the amount it was required to place into escrow on account of units sold in the state in a particular year was greater than the master settlement agreement payments, as determined pursuant to section IX(i) of that agreement, including after final determination of all adjustments, that the manufacturer would have been required to make on account of such units sold had it been a participating manufacturer, the excess must be released from escrow and revert back to such tobacco product manufacturer; or (3) To the extent not released from escrow under paragraph 1 or 2, funds must be released from escrow and revert back to the tobacco product manufacturer twenty-five years after the date on which they were placed into escrow. c. Each tobacco product manufacturer that elects to place funds into escrow pursuant to this subsection shall annually certify to the state tax commissioner that it is in compliance with this subsection. The state tax commissioner shall refer every instance of noncompliance to the attorney general. The attorney general may bring a civil action on behalf of the state against any tobacco product manufacturer that fails to place into escrow the funds required under this section. Any tobacco product manufacturer that fails in any year to place into escrow the funds required under this section must: (1) Be required within fifteen days to place the funds into escrow as will bring it into compliance with this section. The court, upon a finding of a violation of this subdivision, may impose a civil penalty to be paid to the general fund of the state in an amount not to exceed five percent of the amount improperly withheld from escrow per day of the violation and in a total amount not to exceed one hundred percent of the original amount improperly withheld from escrow; (2) In the case of a knowing violation, be required within fifteen days to place the funds into escrow as will bring it into compliance with this section. The court, upon a finding of a knowing violation of this subdivision, may impose a civil penalty to be paid to the general fund of the state in an amount not to exceed fifteen percent of the amount improperly withheld from escrow per day of the violation and in a total amount not to exceed three hundred percent of the original amount improperly withheld from escrow; and (3) In the case of a second knowing violation, be prohibited from selling cigarettes to consumers within the state, whether directly or through a distributor, retailer, or similar intermediary, for a period not to exceed two years. Each failure to make an annual deposit required under this section constitutes a separate violation.
95		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Assist the transmission” means actions taken by a person to provide substantial assistance or support that enables any person to formulate, compose, send, originate, initiate, or transmit a commercial electronic mail message when the person providing the assistance knows or consciously avoids knowing that the initiator of the commercial electronic mail message is engaged, or intends to engage, in any practice that violates chapter 51-15. 2. “Commercial electronic mail message” means an electronic mail message sent to promote real property, goods, or services for sale or lease. The term does not mean an electronic mail message to which an interactive computer service provider has attached an advertisement in exchange for free use of an electronic mail account if the sender has agreed to such an arrangement. 3. “Electronic mail address” means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, to which electronic mail may be sent or delivered. 4. “Identifying information” means any information that can be used to access an individual's financial account or to obtain goods and services, including an individual's address, birth date, social security number, driver's license number, nondriver governmental identification number, telephone number, bank account number, student identification, credit or debit card number, personal identification number, unique biometric data, employee or payroll number, automated or electronic signature, computer image, photograph, screen name, or password. The term does not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available sources or from federal, state, or local government records lawfully made available to the general public. 5. “Initiate the transmission” refers to the action by the original sender of an electronic mail message, not to the action by any intervening interactive computer service that may handle or retransmit the message, unless the intervening interactive computer service assists in the transmission of an electronic mail message when the interactive computer service knows, or consciously avoids knowing, that the person initiating the transmission is engaged, or intends to engage, in any act or practice that violates chapter 51-15. 6. “Interactive computer service” means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including a service or system that provides access to the internet and systems operated or services offered by libraries and educational institutions. 7. “Internet domain name” refers to a globally unique, hierarchical reference to an internet host or service, assigned through centralized internet naming authorities, comprising a series of character strings separated by periods, with the right-most string specifying the top of the hierarchy. 8. “Web page” means a location that has a single uniform resource locator with respect to the world wide web or another location that can be accessed on the internet. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
96		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-02 False or misleading messages prohibited.	1. A person may not initiate the transmission, conspire with another to initiate the transmission, or assist the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message from a computer located in this state or to an electronic mail address that the sender knows, or has reason to know, is held by a resident of this state that: a. Uses a third-party's internet domain name without permission of the third party or otherwise misrepresents or obscures any information in identifying the point of origin or the transmission path of a commercial electronic mail message; or b. Contains false or misleading information in the subject line. 2. For purposes of this section, a person knows that the intended recipient of a commercial electronic mail message is a resident of this state if that information is available, upon request, from the registrant of the internet domain name contained in the recipient's electronic mail address. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
97		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-03 Unpermitted or misleading electronic mail - Violation of consumer protection law.	1. It is a violation of chapter 51-15 to conspire with another person to initiate the transmission or to initiate the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message that: a. Uses a third-party's internet domain name without permission of the third party or otherwise misrepresents or obscures any information in identifying the point of origin or the transmission path of a commercial electronic mail message; or b. Contains false or misleading information in the subject line. 2. It is a violation of chapter 51-15 to assist in the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message if the person providing the assistance knows, or consciously avoids knowing, that the initiator of the commercial electronic mail message is engaged, or intends to engage, in any act or practice that violates chapter 51-15. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
98		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-04 Subject disclosure - Violation of consumer protection law.	1. The subject line of a commercial electronic mail message must include “ADV” as the first characters. If the message contains information that consists of material of a sexual nature that may only be viewed by an individual eighteen years of age or older, the subject line of the message must include “ADV-ADULT” as the first characters. 2. For purposes of this section, a commercial electronic mail message does not include a message if the recipient has consented to receive or has solicited electronic mail messages from the initiator, from an organization using electronic mail to communicate exclusively with its members, from an entity which uses electronic mail to communicate exclusively with its employees or contractors, or if there is a business or personal relationship between the initiator and the recipient. 3. For purposes of this section, a business relationship means a prior or existing relationship formed between the initiator and the recipient, with or without an exchange of consideration, on the basis of an inquiry, application, purchase, or services offered by the initiator or an affiliate or agent of the initiator. “Affiliate” means a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a specified person. 4. It is a violation of chapter 51-15 to conspire with another person to initiate the transmission or to initiate the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message that violates this section. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
99		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-05 Toll-free number.	1. A sender initiating the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message shall establish a toll-free telephone number, a valid sender-operated return electronic mail address, or another easy-to-use electronic method that the recipient of the commercial electronic mail message may call or access by electronic mail or other electronic means to notify the sender not to transmit any further unsolicited commercial electronic mail messages. The notification process may include the ability for the commercial electronic mail messages recipient to direct the initiator to transmit or not transmit particular commercial electronic mail messages based upon products, services, divisions, organizations, companies, or other selections of the recipient's choice. 2. A commercial electronic mail message must include a statement informing the recipient of a toll-free telephone number that the recipient may call, or a valid return address to which the recipient may write or access by electronic mail or another electronic method established by the initiator, notifying the sender not to transmit to the recipient any further unsolicited commercial electronic mail messages to the electronic mail address specified by the recipient, and explaining the manner in which the recipient may specify what commercial electronic mail messages the recipient does and does not want to receive. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
100		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-06 Violations--Damages.	1. Damages to the recipient of a commercial electronic mail message sent in violation of this chapter are five hundred dollars, or actual damages, whichever is greater. 2. Damages to an interactive computer service resulting from a violation of this chapter are one thousand dollars, or actual damages, whichever is greater. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
101		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-07 Blocking of commercial electronic mail by interactive computer service--Immunity from liability.	1. An interactive computer service may block the receipt or transmission through its service of any commercial electronic mail that it reasonably believes is, or will be, sent in violation of this chapter. 2. An interactive computer service may not be held liable for any action voluntarily taken in good faith to block the receipt or transmission through its service of any commercial electronic mail which it reasonably believes is, or will be, sent in violation of this chapter. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
102		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-08 Nonexclusive causes of action, remedies, and penalties.	The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties in chapter 51-15 or otherwise provided by law. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
103		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-09 Relationship to federal law.	If any federal law is enacted that regulates false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail messages, but does not preempt state law on the subject, the federal law supersedes any conflicting provision of this chapter. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
104		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-27-10 Fraudulent or misleading communications--Penalty.	1. A person is guilty of a class C felony if, with intent to defraud or injure an individual, or with knowledge that the person is facilitating a fraud or injury to be perpetrated by any other person: a. The actor makes any communication that is not true and is calculated to mislead by purporting to be by or on behalf of another person without the authority or approval of that person; and b. The actor uses that communication to induce, request, or solicit the individual to provide property or identifying information. 2. A person is guilty of a class C felony if, with intent to defraud or injure an individual, or with knowledge that a person is facilitating a fraud or injury to be perpetrated by any other person: a. The actor creates or operates a web page that falsely represents the actor as being associated with another person without the authority or approval of that person and the web page may induce a user of the internet to provide property or identifying information; or b. The actor alters a setting on a user's computer or similar device or software program through which the user may search the internet, the alteration causes the user to view a communication that falsely represents the actor as being associated with another person, and the communication has been created or is operated without the authority or approval of the other person and induces, requests, or solicits the user to provide property or identifying information. (Contingent expiration date: As provided by section S.L. 2003, ch. 439, § 2, this section becomes ineffective upon the effective date contained in the certification of federal legislation that preempts state regulation of false, misleading, or unsolicited commercial electronic mail message from the Governor to the Legislative Council.)
105		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires, the terms shall have the meanings as follows: 1. “Automatic dialing-announcing device” means a device that selects and dials telephone numbers and that, working alone or in conjunction with other equipment, disseminates a prerecorded or synthesized voice message to the telephone number called. 2. “Caller” means a person, corporation, firm, partnership, association, or legal or commercial entity that attempts to contact, or that contacts, a subscriber in this state by using a telephone or a telephone line. 3. “Caller identification service” means a telephone service that permits telephone subscribers to see the telephone number of incoming telephone calls. 4. “Established business relationship” means a relationship between a seller and consumer based on a free trial newspaper subscription or on the consumer's purchase, rental, or lease of the seller's goods or services or a financial transaction between the consumer and seller, within the twenty-four months immediately preceding the date of a telemarketing call. 5. “Message” means any telephone call, including voice, text, or other electronic communication, regardless of its content. 6. “Subscriber” means a person who has subscribed to a residential telephone line or the other persons living or residing with the subscribing person. 7. “Telephone line” means a telephone service to a subscriber, regardless of the technology used to provide such service, including traditional wireline or cable telephone service; cellular, broadband PCS, or other wireless telephone service; microwave, satellite, or other terrestrial telephone service; and voice over internet protocol telephone service. 8. “Telephone solicitation” means any voice, text, or other electronic communication over a telephone line for the purpose of encouraging charitable contributions, or the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, services, or merchandise, including as defined in subsection 3 of section 51-15-01, whether the communication is made by a live operator, through the use of an automatic dialing-announcing device, or by other means. Telephone solicitation does not include communications: a. To any subscriber with that subscriber's prior express written request, consent, invitation, or permission. b. By or on behalf of any person with whom the subscriber has an established personal or business relationship. c. By or on behalf of a charitable organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, but only if the following applies: (1) The telephone call is made by a volunteer or employee of the charitable organization; and (2) The person who makes the telephone call immediately discloses the following information upon making contact with the consumer: (a) The person's true first and last name; and (b) The name, address, and telephone number of the charitable organization. d. By or on behalf of any person whose exclusive purpose is to poll or solicit the expression of ideas, opinions, or votes, unless the communication is a text message. e. By the individual soliciting without the intent to complete, and who does not in fact complete, the sales presentation during the call, but who will complete the sales presentation at a later face-to-face meeting between the individual solicitor or person who makes the initial call and the prospective purchaser, unless the communication is a text message. f. By or on behalf of a political party, candidate, or other group with a political purpose, as defined in section 16.1-08.1-01, unless the communication is a text message.
106		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-02 Use of prerecorded or synthesized voice messages.	A caller may not use or connect to a telephone line an automatic dialing-announcing device or deliver a prerecorded or synthesized voice message to a subscriber unless the subscriber has knowingly requested, consented to, permitted, or authorized receipt of the message or the message is immediately preceded by a live operator who obtains the subscriber's consent before the message is delivered. This section and section 51-28-05 do not apply to a message from a public safety agency notifying a person of an emergency; a message from a school district to a student, a parent, or an employee; a message to a subscriber with whom the caller has a current business relationship; or a message advising an employee of a work schedule.
107		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-03 Message requirements.	When the message is immediately preceded by a live operator, the operator must disclose at the outset of the message: 1. The name of the business, firm, organization, association, partnership, or entity for which the message is being made; 2. The purpose of the message; 3. The identity or kinds of goods or services the message is promoting; and 4. If applicable, the fact that the message intends to solicit payment or commitment of funds.
108		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-04 Requirements on automatic dialing-announcing devices.	A caller may not use an automatic dialing-announcing device unless the device is designed and operated so as to disconnect within ten seconds after termination of the telephone call by the subscriber. A caller may not use an automatic dialing-announcing device that uses a random or sequential number generator unless the equipment excludes calls to the following telephone numbers: 1. Emergency telephone numbers, including 911, of any hospital, medical physician, health care facility, ambulance or emergency medical provider, fire protection facility, or law enforcement agency. 2. Any guest room or patient room of a hospital, health care facility, elderly care home, or similar establishment. 3. A paging service, a cellular telephone service, a specialized mobile radio service, or any service for which the called party is charged for the call. 4. The telephone numbers maintained on a do-not-call list established pursuant to section 51-28-09.
109		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-05 Time of day limit.	A caller may not use an automatic dialing-announcing device nor make any telephone solicitation before eight a.m. or after nine p.m. at the telephone subscriber's location
110		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-06 Prohibited telephone solicitations.	A caller may not make or cause to be made any telephone solicitation to the telephone line of any subscriber in this state who, for at least thirty-one days before the date the call is made, has been on the do-not-call list established and maintained or used by the attorney general under section 51-28-09 or the national do-not-call registry established and maintained by the federal trade commission under title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 310.
111		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-07. Identification by caller.	Any caller who makes a telephone solicitation to a subscriber in this state shall immediately and clearly state at the beginning of the call the caller's true first and last name, the caller's telephone number, the caller's city and state of location, and the name of the business on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is made.
112		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-08 Interference with caller identification.	A caller who makes a telephone solicitation to a subscriber in this state may not knowingly use any method to block or otherwise deliberately circumvent the subscriber's use of a caller identification service.
113		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-09 Establishment of do-not-call list--Federal trade commission do-not-call registry.	1. The attorney general shall establish and maintain a list of telephone numbers of subscribers who object to receiving telephone solicitations. The attorney general may fulfill the requirements of this section by contracting with an agent for the establishment and maintenance of the list or by using the national do-not-call registry established and maintained by the federal trade commission under title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 310.1 The attorney general may adopt rules governing the establishment, distribution, and operation of the do-not-call list, as the attorney general deems necessary and appropriate to fully implement the provisions of this chapter, in addition to the following provisions: a. Any subscriber may contact the attorney general or the attorney general's agent and give notice, in the manner prescribed by the attorney general, that the subscriber objects to receiving telephone solicitations. The attorney general shall add the telephone number of any subscriber who gives notice of objection to the list maintained pursuant to this section. b. Any notice given by a subscriber under this section is effective for five years unless revoked by the subscriber. Any subsequent notices given by the same subscriber related to a different telephone number are separate from the original notice. c. The attorney general shall allow subscribers to give notice under this section by mail, telephone, or electronically. d. The attorney general shall establish the procedures by which a person wishing to make telephone solicitations may obtain access to the list. To the extent practicable, those procedures shall allow for access to paper or electronic copies of the list. e. The attorney general may include in the list established under this section subscribers who live in North Dakota and are included in the national do-not-call registry established and maintained by the federal trade commission under title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 310.1 The attorney general may provide to the federal trade commission the telephone numbers of North Dakota subscribers who are in the attorney general's do-not-call list or who have otherwise notified the attorney general of the subscriber's objection to receiving telephone solicitations for inclusion in the national do-not-call registry. f. A person or entity desiring to make telephone solicitations shall pay a fee, payable to the attorney general, for access to, or for paper or electronic copies of, the list established under section 51-28-09. The fee for acquisition of the list may not exceed two hundred dollars per quarter, or eight hundred dollars per year. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the attorney general may designate the national do-not-call registry established and maintained by the federal trade commission under title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 61, as the state do-not-call list.
114		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-10 Release of information.	Information contained in the list established under section 51-28-09 may not be used for any purposes except compliance with this chapter or in a proceeding or action under this chapter or chapter 51-15. The information contained in the list is an exempt record as defined in section 44-04-17.1.
115		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-11 Private enforcement.	Any person who receives a telephone solicitation or message in violation of this chapter may bring an action to enjoin such violation, or for damages, or both. The court may award the plaintiff the plaintiff's actual damages or damages up to two thousand dollars for each violation, whichever is greater. The court may award the plaintiff costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees. This section shall not limit any other claims the person may have against the caller.
116		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-12 Limitation of actions.	No action or proceeding may be brought under this chapter: 1. More than one year after the person bringing the action knew or should have known of the alleged violation; or 2. More than one year after the termination of any proceeding or action by the attorney general, whichever is later.
117		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-13 Powers of the attorney general--Remedies--Injunction--Other relief.	When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter, the attorney general, in enforcing this chapter, has all powers provided in this chapter or chapter 51-15, and may seek all remedies in this chapter or chapter 51-15.
118		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-14 Cease and desist orders.	When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter or by any rule or order of the attorney general issued under this chapter, the attorney general, without notice and hearing, may issue any cease and desist order which the attorney general deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest, including if any person fails or refuses to file any statement or report, or obey any subpoena issued by the attorney general under this chapter or chapter 51-15. A person aggrieved by an order issued under this section may request a hearing before the attorney general if a written request is made within ten days after the receipt of the order. An adjudicative proceeding under this section must be conducted in accordance with chapter 28-32, unless otherwise specifically provided herein.
119		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-15 Civil penalties in an adjudicative proceeding.	When it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this chapter or by any rule or order of the attorney general issued under this chapter, the attorney general may impose by order and collect a civil penalty against any person found in an adjudicative proceeding to have violated any provision of this chapter, or any rule or order adopted under this chapter, in an amount not more than two thousand dollars for each violation of this chapter or any rule or order adopted under this chapter. The attorney general may bring an action in district court to recover penalties under this section.
120		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-16 Costs recoverable in adjudicative proceeding--Hearing costs.	If the attorney general prevails in an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to section 51-28-14 or 51-28-15, the attorney general may assess the nonprevailing person for all adjudicative proceeding and hearing costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and expenses of any investigation and action brought under the provisions of this chapter.
121		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-17 Civil penalties in court proceeding.	The court may award the attorney general civil penalties of not more than two thousand dollars per violation of this chapter. A violation of this chapter constitutes a violation of chapter 51-15 and the court may award civil penalties under section 51-15-11.
122		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-18 Costs recoverable in court proceeding.	The attorney general is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and expenses of any investigation and action brought under the provisions of this chapter.
123		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-19 Separate violations--Nonexclusive remedies and penalties.	For each remedy or penalty under this chapter or chapter 51-15, or otherwise provided by law, each telephone solicitation or message shall constitute a separate violation for purposes of an adjudicative proceeding or an action in district court. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties in chapter 51-15, or otherwise provided by law.
124		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-20 Caller identification service nonliability.	No provider of caller identification service shall be held liable for violations of this chapter committed by other persons or entities.
125		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-21 Disposition of fees, penalties, and recoveries.	All fees, penalties, and recoveries of attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and expenses collected pursuant to this chapter shall be retained by the attorney general for enforcement of this chapter, including to pay costs, expenses, and attorney's fees and salaries incurred in the operation of the attorney general's consumer protection and antitrust division. However, the attorney general may deposit any excess funds not required for enforcement of this chapter in the attorney general refund fund under section 54-12-18.
126		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-28-22 Venue.	The attorney general or a plaintiff in a private enforcement action may bring an action pursuant to this chapter in either the county of the telephone subscriber's residence or Burleigh County.
127		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-29-01 Definition.	As used in this chapter, “gift certificate” means a record evidencing a promise, made for monetary consideration, by the seller or issuer of the record that goods or services will be provided to the owner of the record to the value shown in the record. The term includes a record that contains a microprocessor chip, magnetic strip, or other means of storage of information that is prefunded and for which the value is decreased upon each use; a gift card; an electronic gift card; an online gift account; a stored-value card; a store card; a prepaid telephone card; or a similar record or card. The term does not include a general-use prepaid card issued by a prepaid card issuer, including a plastic card or other electronic payment device that is usable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers or at an automatic teller machine, and purchased or loaded on a prepaid basis; a general-use prepaid card issued by a prepaid card issuer and purchased by a person that is not an individual; or a debit card linked to a deposit account.
128		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-29-02 Expiration dates - Service fees.	A person may not charge additional monthly or annual service or maintenance fees on a gift certificate. A person may not limit the time for redemption of a gift certificate to a date before six years after the date of purchase of the gift certificate, place an expiration date on a gift certificate before six years after the date of purchase of the gift certificate, or include on a gift certificate any statement suggesting that an expiration or redemption date, except as permitted in this section, may apply to a gift certificate. This section does not apply to a gift certificate distributed to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other thing of value being given in exchange for the gift certificate by the consumer. Any restriction or limitation on such gift certificate must be disclosed to the consumer, in writing, at the time the gift certificate is distributed to the consumer.
129		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-29-03 Enforcement--Powers--Remedies--Penalties.	The attorney general shall enforce this chapter. In enforcing this chapter, the attorney general has all the powers provided in this chapter or chapter 51-15 and may seek all remedies in this chapter or chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter constitutes a violation of chapter 51-15. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties as provided in chapter 51-15 and as otherwise provided by law.
130		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. "Breach of the security system" means unauthorized acquisition of computerized data when access to personal information has not been secured by encryption or by any other method or technology that renders the electronic files, media, or databases unreadable or unusable. Good-faith acquisition of personal information by an employee or agent of the person is not a breach of the security of the system, if the personal information is not used or subject to further unauthorized disclosure. 2. "Health insurance information" means an individual's health insurance policy number or subscriber identification number and any unique identifier used by a health insurer to identify the individual. 3. "Medical information" means any information regarding an individual's medical history, mental or physical condition, or medical treatment or diagnosis by a health care professional. 4. a. "Personal information" means an individual's first name or first initial and last name in combination with any of the following data elements, when the name and the data elements are not encrypted: (1) The individual's social security number; (2) The operator's license number assigned to an individual by the department of transportation under section 39-06-14; (3) A nondriver color photo identification card number assigned to the individual by the department of transportation under section 39-06-03.1; (4) The individual's financial institution account number, credit card number, or debit card number in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual's financial accounts; (5) The individual's date of birth; (6) The maiden name of the individual's mother; (7) Medical information; (8) Health insurance information; (9) An identification number assigned to the individual by the individual's employer in combination with any required security code, access code, or password; or (10) The individual's digitized or other electronic signature. b. "Personal information" does not include publicly available information that is lawfully made available to the general public from federal, state, or local government records.
131		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-02 Notice to attorney general and consumers.	Any person that owns or licenses computerized data that includes personal information, shall disclose any breach of the security system following discovery or notification of the breach in the security of the data to any resident of the state whose unencrypted personal information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired by an unauthorized person. In addition, any person that experiences a breach of the security system as provided in this section shall disclose to the attorney general by mail or email any breach of the security system which exceeds two hundred fifty individuals. The disclosure must be made in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay, consistent with the legitimate needs of law enforcement, as provided in section 51-30-04, or any measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach and to restore the integrity of the data system.
132		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-03 Notice to owner or licensee of personal information	Any person that maintains computerized data that includes personal information that the person does not own shall notify the owner or licensee of the information of the breach of the security of the data immediately following the discovery, if the personal information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired by an unauthorized person.
133		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-04 Delayed notice.	The notification required by this chapter may be delayed if a law enforcement agency determines that the notification will impede a criminal investigation. The notification required by this chapter must be made after the law enforcement agency determines that the notification will not compromise the investigation.
134		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-05 Method of notice.	Notice under this chapter may be provided by one of the following methods: 1. Written notice; 2. Electronic notice, if the notice provided is consistent with the provisions regarding electronic records and signatures set forth in section 7001 of title 15 of the United States Code; or 3. Substitute notice, if the person demonstrates that the cost of providing notice would exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or that the affected class of subject persons to be notified exceeds five hundred thousand, or the person does not have sufficient contact information. Substitute notice consists of the following: a. E-mail notice when the person has an e-mail address for the subject persons; b. Conspicuous posting of the notice on the person's website page, if the person maintains one; and c. Notification to major statewide media.
135		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-06 Alternate compliance.	Notwithstanding section 51-30-05, a person that maintains its own notification procedures as part of an information security policy for the treatment of personal information and is otherwise consistent with the timing requirements of this chapter is deemed to be in compliance with the notification requirements of this chapter if the person notifies subject individuals in accordance with its policies in the event of a breach of security of the system. A financial institution, trust company, or credit union that is subject to, examined for, and in compliance with the federal interagency guidance on response programs for unauthorized access to customer information and customer notice is in compliance with this chapter. A covered entity, business associate, or subcontractor subject to breach notification requirements under title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, subpart D, part 164, is considered to be in compliance with this chapter.
136		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-30-07 Enforcement--Powers--Remedies--Penalties.	The attorney general may enforce this chapter. The attorney general, in enforcing this chapter, has all the powers provided in chapter 51-15 and may seek all the remedies in chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter is deemed a violation of chapter 51-15. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties under chapter 51-15, or otherwise provided by law.
137		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-31-01 Definitions.	1. “Consumer” means an individual. 2. “Consumer report” has the same meaning as provided in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(d). 3. “Consumer reporting agency” means any person that, for monetary fees or dues or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate or intrastate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports. The term does not include an agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis, as described in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(p), a “reseller” as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(u), when engaged in the act of the reselling of consumer information or other information, or a “nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency” that maintains “check writing history” as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(w)(3). 4. “File”, when used in connection with information on any consumer, means all of the information on that consumer reported and retained by a consumer reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored.
138		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-31-02 Initial fraud alerts.	Upon the direct request of a consumer or an individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who asserts in good faith a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become a victim of fraud or related crime, including identity theft, a consumer reporting agency that maintains a file on the consumer and has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester shall include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer. The consumer reporting agency shall continue that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file, for a period of not less than ninety days beginning on the date of the request, unless the consumer or the consumer's representative requests that the fraud alert be removed before the end of the period and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for that purpose.
139		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-31-03 Extended fraud alerts.	Upon the direct request of a consumer or an individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who asserts in good faith a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become a victim of fraud or related crime, including identity theft, a consumer reporting agency that maintains a file on the consumer and has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester shall: 1. Include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer and continue that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file, during the seven-year period beginning on the date of the request, unless the consumer or the consumer's representative requests that the fraud alert be removed before the end of that period and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for that purpose; and 2. During the five-year period beginning on the date of the request, exclude the consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer reporting agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer, unless the consumer or the consumer's representative requests that the exclusion be rescinded before the end of that period.
140		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-31-04 Police reports--Judicial determination of factual innocence.	1. An individual who has learned or reasonably suspects that the individual's personal identifying information has been unlawfully used by another, as described in section 12.1-23-11, may initiate a law enforcement investigation by contacting the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the individual's residence or any other jurisdiction in which any part of the offense occurred. The law enforcement agency shall take a report of the matter, provide the individual with a copy of that report, and begin an investigation of the facts. If the suspected crime was committed in a different jurisdiction, the local law enforcement agency may refer the matter to the law enforcement agency where the suspected crime was committed for further investigation of the facts. 2. An individual who reasonably believes that the individual is the victim of identity theft may petition the district court in the county in which the alleged victim resides or in which the identity theft is alleged to have occurred, or the court, on its own motion or upon application of the state's attorney, may move for an expedited judicial determination of the individual's factual innocence, if the perpetrator of the identity theft was arrested, cited, or convicted of a crime under the victim's identity, if a criminal complaint has been filed against the perpetrator in the victim's name, or if the victim's identity has been mistakenly associated with a record of criminal conviction. Any judicial determination of factual innocence made under this section may be heard and determined upon declarations, affidavits, police reports, or other material, relevant, and reliable information submitted by the parties or ordered to be part of the record by the court. If the court determines that the petition or motion is meritorious and that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the victim committed the offense for which the perpetrator of the identity theft was arrested, cited, convicted, or subject to a criminal complaint in the victim's name, or that the victim's identity has been mistakenly associated with a record of criminal conviction, the court shall find the victim factually innocent of that offense. If the victim is found factually innocent, the court shall issue an order certifying that determination. 3. After a court has issued a determination of factual innocence under this section, the court may order the name and associated personal identifying information contained in court records, files, and indexes accessible by the public deleted, sealed, or labeled to show that the data is impersonated and does not reflect the defendant's identity. 4. A court that has issued a determination of factual innocence under this section may vacate that determination if the petition or any information submitted in support of the petition is found to contain any material misrepresentation or fraud.
141		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-31-05 Enforcement--Powers--Remedies--Penalties.	The attorney general may enforce this chapter. In enforcing this chapter, the attorney general has all the powers provided in this chapter or chapter 51-15 and may seek all remedies in this chapter or chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter constitutes a violation of chapter 51-15. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties as provided in chapter 51-15 and as otherwise provided by law.
142		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. “Consumer report” has the same meaning as provided in 15 U.S.C. 1681(a)(d). 2. “Consumer reporting agency” means any person that for monetary fees or dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports. 3. “Proper identification” means information sufficient to verify identity. Only if the consumer is unable to sufficiently provide self-identifying information may a consumer reporting agency require additional information concerning the consumer's employment and personal or family history in order to verify the consumer's identity. 4. “Security freeze” means a notice placed in a consumer's consumer report, at the request of the consumer and subject to certain exceptions, that prohibits the consumer reporting agency from releasing the consumer credit file or any information derived from it, without the express authorization of the consumer. If a security freeze is in place, information from a consumer's consumer credit file may not be released to a third party without prior express authorization from the consumer. A security freeze does not prevent a consumer reporting agency from advising a third party that a security freeze is in effect with respect to the consumer report. 5. “Victim of identity theft” means a consumer who has a copy of a valid police report, investigative report, or complaint to law enforcement evidencing that the consumer has alleged to be a victim of identity theft.
143		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-02 Right to obtain security freeze.	A consumer may elect to place a security freeze on the consumer's consumer credit file by making a request to a consumer reporting agency. The consumer may make the request: 1. By mail; 2. By telephone by providing proper identification or certain personal identification required by the consumer reporting agency; or 3. Directly to the consumer reporting agency through a secure electronic mail connection if the connection is made available by the consumer reporting agency.
144		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-03 Response of consumer reporting agency.	1. A consumer reporting agency shall place a security freeze on a consumer's consumer credit file no later than three business days after receiving from the consumer a request undersection 51-33-02 which includes proper identification. If a victim of identity theft requests a security freeze, a consumer reporting agency shall place a security freeze on the consumer's credit report no later than forty-eight hours after receiving: a. A notice under section 51-33-02; and b. A copy of a valid police report, investigative report, or complaint to law enforcement evidencing the identity theft victim has alleged being a victim of identity theft. The copy may be transmitted to the consumer reporting agency by mail, facsimile, or secure electronic mail connection, if the connection is made available by the consumer reporting agency. 2. Effective August 1, 2009, if a victim of identity theft requests a security freeze, a consumer reporting agency shall place a security freeze on the consumer's credit report no later than twenty-four hours after receiving: a. A notice under section 51-33-02; and b. A copy of a valid police report, investigative report, or complaint to law enforcement evidencing the identity theft victim has alleged being a victim of identity theft. The copy may be transmitted to the consumer reporting agency by mail, facsimile, or secure electronic mail connection, if the connection is made available by the consumer reporting agency. 3. The consumer reporting agency, within five business days after receiving the request, shall send a written confirmation of the security freeze to the consumer and provide the consumer with a unique personal identification number or password to be used by the consumer when providing authorization for the release of the consumer's consumer report for a specific party or period of time. 4. When a consumer requests a security freeze, the consumer reporting agency shall disclose the process of placing and temporarily lifting a freeze, including the process for allowing access to information from the consumer's consumer report for a specific party or period of time while the freeze is in place.
145		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-04 Temporary lifting or permanent removal of the freeze.	1. If the consumer wishes to allow the consumer's consumer credit file to be accessed for a specific party or period of time while a freeze is in place, the consumer shall contact the consumer reporting agency, request that the freeze be temporarily lifted, and provide the following: a. Proper identification; b. The unique personal identification number or password provided by the credit reporting agency under section 51-33-03; c. The proper information regarding the third party who is to receive the consumer report or access the credit file or the time period for which the report or credit file is to be available to users of the consumer credit file; and d. A fee if applicable. 2. a. A consumer reporting agency that receives a request by mail from a consumer to temporarily lift a freeze on a consumer credit file under this section shall comply with the request no later than two business days after receiving the request unless the consumer fails to provide proper identification and the unique personal identification number or password provided by the credit reporting agency under section 51-33-03. b. A consumer reporting agency that receives a request by telephone or through a secure electronic connection from a consumer to temporarily lift a freeze on a consumer credit file under this section shall comply with the request no later than fifteen minutes after receiving the request unless the consumer fails to provide proper identification and the unique personal identification number or password provided by the credit reporting agency undersection 51-33-03 or the consumer reporting agency's ability to remove the security freeze within fifteen minutes is prevented by: (1) A natural disaster or act of God, including fire, earthquake, or hurricane; (2) Unauthorized or illegal acts by a third party, including terrorism, sabotage, riot, vandalism, or a labor strike or similar labor dispute disrupting operations; (3) Operational interruption, including electrical failure, unanticipated delay in equipment or replacement part delivery, or computer hardware or software failures inhibiting response time; (4) Governmental action, including emergency orders or regulations or judicial or law enforcement action; (5) Receipt of a removal request outside of normal business hours; or (6) Maintenance of, updates to, or repair of the consumer reporting agency's systems, whether regularly scheduled, unscheduled, or unexpected. c. For the purposes of this section, “normal business hours” means from six a.m. to nine-thirty p.m., central standard time or central daylight time, seven days a week, excluding holidays other than Sundays. 3. A consumer reporting agency may develop procedures involving the use of telephone, fax, internet, or other electronic media to receive and process a request from a consumer to temporarily lift a freeze on a consumer report under this section in an expedited manner, with the goal of processing a request within fifteen minutes after the request. 4. A consumer reporting agency shall remove or temporarily lift a freeze placed on a consumer report only in the following cases: a. Upon consumer request under this section; or b. When the consumer credit file was frozen due to a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer. When a consumer reporting agency intends to remove a freeze on a consumer credit file under this section, the consumer reporting agency shall notify the consumer in writing at least three business days prior to removing the freeze on the consumer credit file. 5. A security freeze remains in place until the consumer requests that the security freeze be removed. A consumer reporting agency shall remove a security freeze within three business days of receiving a request for removal from the consumer, who provides both of the following: a. Proper identification; and b. The unique personal identification number or password provided by the credit reporting agency under section 51-33-03.
146		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-05 Response by third party to denial of access.	When a third party requests access to a consumer report on which a security freeze is in effect, and this request is in connection with an application for credit or the opening of an account and the consumer does not allow the consumer's consumer report to be accessed for that specific party or period of time, the third party may treat the application as incomplete.
147		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-06 Nonapplicability.	Sections 51-33-01 through 51-33-05 do not apply to the use of a consumer report by any of the following: 1. A person or entity, or a subsidiary, affiliate, or agent of that person or entity, or an assignee of a financial obligation owing by the consumer to that person or entity, or a prospective assignee of a financial obligation owing by the consumer to that person or entity in conjunction with the proposed purchase of the financial obligation, with which the consumer has or had prior to assignment an account or contract, including a demand deposit account, or to whom the consumer issued a negotiable instrument, for the purposes of reviewing the account or collecting the financial obligation owing for the account, contract, or negotiable instrument. For purposes of this subsection, “reviewing the account” includes activities related to account maintenance, monitoring, credit line increases, and account upgrades and enhancements; 2. A subsidiary, affiliate, agent, assignee, or prospective assignee of a person to whom access has been granted under section 51-33-04 for purposes of facilitating the extension of credit or other permissible use; 3. Any federal, state, or local governmental entity, including a law enforcement agency, court, or its agents or assigns; 4. A private collection agency acting under a court order, warrant, or subpoena; 5. Any person or entity for the purposes of prescreening as provided for by the Fair Credit Reporting Act [15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.]; 6. Any person or entity administering a credit file monitoring subscription service to which the consumer has subscribed; 7. Any person or entity for the purpose of providing a consumer with a copy of the consumer's consumer report upon the consumer's request; 8. Any person or entity for use in setting or adjusting a rate, adjusting a claim, or underwriting for insurance purposes. This exemption does not determine or affect whether these uses are permitted under other law; and 9. A consumer reporting agency for its database or file that consists entirely of information concerning, and used solely for, one or more of the following: a. Criminal record information; b. Tenant screening; c. Employment screening; and d. Fraud prevention or detection.
148		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-07 Information to government agencies not affected.	Sections 51-33-01 through 51-33-06 do not prohibit a consumer reporting agency from furnishing to a governmental agency a consumer's name, address, former address, places of employment, or former places of employment.
149		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-08 Fees.	1. A consumer reporting agency may charge a fee not to exceed five dollars for placing or temporarily lifting a security freeze unless: a. The consumer is a victim of identity theft; and b. The consumer provides, or has already provided in connection with the security freeze, the consumer reporting agency with a valid copy of a police report or a police case number documenting the identity theft, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency. 2. In addition to the charge, if any, permitted under this section, a consumer may be charged no more than five dollars if the consumer fails to retain the original personal identification number given to the consumer by the agency, but the consumer may not be charged for a one-time reissue of the same or a new personal identification number. The consumer may be charged no more than five dollars for subsequent instances of loss of the personal identification number. No other fees may be imposed in connection with the security freeze.
150		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-09 Changes to information--Written confirmation required.	If a security freeze is in place, a consumer reporting agency may not change any of the following official information in a consumer report without sending a written confirmation of the change to the consumer within thirty days of the change being posted to the consumer's file: name, date of birth, social security number, and address. Written confirmation is not required for technical modifications of a consumer's official information, including name and street abbreviations, complete spellings, or transposition of numbers or letters. In the case of an address change, the written confirmation shall be sent to both the new address and to the former address.
151		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-10 Security freeze not applicable to certain consumer reporting agencies.	A consumer reporting agency is not required to place a security freeze in a consumer credit file under this chapter if it acts only as a reseller of credit information by assembling and merging information contained in the database of another consumer reporting agency or multiple consumer reporting agencies and does not maintain a permanent database of credit information from which new consumer reports are produced. However, a consumer reporting agency must honor any security freeze placed on a consumer credit file by another consumer reporting agency.
152		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-11 Exempt entities.	The following entities are not required to place a security freeze on a consumer credit file under this chapter: 1. A check services or fraud prevention services company that issues reports on incidents of fraud or authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic funds transfers, or similar methods of payments; and 2. A deposit account information service company that issues reports regarding account closures due to fraud, substantial overdrafts, ATM abuse, or similar negative information regarding a consumer, to inquiring banks or other financial institutions for use only in reviewing a consumer's request for a deposit account at the inquiring bank or financial institution.
153		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-12 Notice of rights.	At any time that a consumer is required to receive a summary of rights required under 15 U.S.C. 1681g or under North Dakota law, the following notice shall be included: North Dakota Consumers Have the Right to Obtain a Security Freeze You may obtain a security freeze on your consumer credit file at no charge to protect your privacy and ensure that credit is not granted in your name without your knowledge. You have a right to place a “security freeze” on your consumer credit file pursuant to North Dakota law. The security freeze will prohibit a consumer reporting agency from releasing any information in your consumer credit file without your express authorization or approval. The security freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. When you place a security freeze on your credit file, within five business days you will be provided a personal identification number or password to use if you choose to remove the freeze on your credit file or to temporarily authorize the release of your credit report or credit score for a specific party, parties, or period of time after the freeze is in place. To provide that authorization, you must contact the consumer reporting agency and provide all of the following: 1. The unique personal identification number or password provided by the consumer reporting agency. 2. Proper identification to verify your identity. 3. The proper information regarding the third party or parties who are to receive the credit report or the period of time for which the report shall be available to users of the credit report. A consumer reporting agency that receives a request from a consumer to lift temporarily a freeze shall comply with the request no later than three business days after receiving the request. A consumer reporting agency may charge you up to five dollars each time you freeze or temporarily lift the freeze, except a consumer reporting agency may not charge any amount to a victim of identity theft who has submitted a copy of a valid investigative report or complaint to a law enforcement agency about the unlawful use of the victim's information by another person. A security freeze does not apply to circumstances where you have an existing account relationship and a copy of your report is requested by your existing creditor or its agents or affiliates for certain types of account review, collection, fraud control, or similar activities. If you are actively seeking a new credit, loan, utility, or telephone account, you should understand that the procedures involved in lifting a security freeze may slow your own applications for credit. You should plan ahead and lift a freeze--either completely if you are shopping around, or specifically for a certain creditor--with enough advance notice before you apply for new credit for the lifting to take effect. You have a right to bring a civil action against someone who violates your rights under the credit reporting laws. The action can be brought against a consumer reporting agency or a user of your credit report.
154		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-13 Private enforcement.	1. If a consumer reporting agency erroneously releases a consumer's credit file or any information derived from the file, the consumer reporting agency shall send written notification to the affected consumer within five business days following discovery or notification of the erroneous release, including specificity as to the information released and the third-party recipient of the information. In addition, the affected consumer in a civil action against the consumer reporting agency may recover: a. Injunctive relief to prevent or restrain further violation of the security freeze; b. The greater of actual damages or two thousand dollars in civil penalties for each violation; and c. Reasonable expenses, court costs, investigative costs, and attorney's fees. 2. Each violation of the security freeze shall be counted as a separate incident for purposes of imposing penalties under this section.
155		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-33-14 Enforcement by attorney general--Powers--Remedies--Separate violations--Venue.	The attorney general may enforce this chapter. In enforcing this chapter, the attorney general has all the powers provided in chapter 51-15 and may seek all the remedies in chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter is a violation of chapter 51-15. Each violation of the security freeze shall be counted as a separate violation. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties under chapter 51-15 and as otherwise provided by law. The attorney general may bring an action pursuant to this section in either the county of the consumer's residence or Burleigh County.
156		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-01 Definitions.	In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. “Customer” means the person who subscribes to telephone service from a telephone company or in whose name such telephone service is listed and to whom the telephone record pertains. 2. “Procure” in regard to a telephone record means to obtain by any means, whether electronically, in writing, or in oral form, with or without consideration. 3. “Telephone” means any device used by a person for voice or other electronic communications, in connection with the services of a telephone company, whether such voice or other electronic communications are transmitted in analog, data, or any other form. 4. “Telephone company” means any person that provides commercial telephone services to a customer, regardless of the communications technology used to provide such service, including traditional wireline or cable telephone service; cellular, broadband PCS, or other wireless telephone service; microwave, satellite, or other terrestrial telephone service; and voice over internet telephone service. 5. “Telephone record” means information retained by a telephone company that relates to the telephone number dialed by the customer or other person using the customer's telephone with such customer's permission, the incoming number of a call directed to a customer or other person using the customer's telephone with such customer's permission, or other data related to such call typically contained on a customer's telephone bill, including the times the call started and ended, the duration of the call, the time the call was made, and any charges applied. A telephone record does not include information collected and retained by a customer utilizing caller identification or similar technology or include a carrier network record.
157		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-02 Unauthorized or fraudulent procurement, sale, or receipt of telephone records prohibited - Criminal penalties - Restitution.	1. A person may not: a. Procure, attempt to procure, solicit, or conspire with another to procure, a telephone record of any resident of this state without the authorization of the customer or by fraudulent, deceptive, or false means; b. Sell, or attempt to sell, a telephone record of any resident of this state without the customer's authorization; or c. Receive a telephone record of any resident of this state when such record has been obtained without the customer's authorization or by fraudulent, deceptive, or false means. 2. Any person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a class C felony. 3. In addition to any other punishment, a person found guilty of an offense under this section shall make restitution for any financial loss sustained by the customer or any other person who suffered financial loss as the direct result of the offense.
158		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-03 Jurisdiction--Conduct outside this state--Venue--Multiple offenses.	1. Notwithstanding section 29-03-01.1, a person who, while outside this state, engages in conduct in violation of section 51-34-02 is subject to prosecution under this chapter in the courts of this state. Except as provided in subsection 2, the venue is in the county in which the customer or victim resides or any other county in which any part of the crime occurred. 2. When a person commits violations of this section in more than one county involving either one or more customers or victims or the commission of acts constituting an element of the offense, the multiple offenses may be consolidated for commencement of prosecution in any county where one of the offenses was committed.
159		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-04 Nonapplicability to valid legal process and law enforcement.	1. This chapter does not apply to any person acting pursuant to a valid court order, warrant, or subpoena, a subpoena by the attorney general pursuant to this chapter or chapter 51-15, or other valid legal process. 2. This chapter does not prevent any action by a law enforcement agency, or any officer, employee, or agent of such agency, to obtain telephone records in connection with the performance of the official duties of the agency as authorized by law.
160		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-05 Permitted use by telephone companies.	1. This chapter does not prohibit a telephone company from obtaining, using, disclosing, or permitting access to any telephone record, either directly or indirectly through its agents or contractors: a. As otherwise authorized by law; b. With the lawful consent of the customer; c. As may be necessarily incident to the rendition of the service or to the protection of the rights or property of the telephone company, or to protect the customer of those services and other carriers from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of, or subscription to, such services; d. To a governmental entity, if the telephone company reasonably believes that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person justifies disclosure of the information; or e. To the national center for missing and exploited children, in connection with a report submitted thereto under section 227 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. 2. This chapter does not apply to or expand upon the obligations and duties of any telephone company to protect telephone records beyond those otherwise established by federal law or state law or both as set forth in section 51-34-06. 3. This chapter does not apply to a telephone company, and its agents or representatives, who reasonably and in good faith act pursuant to subsection 2, notwithstanding any later determination that the action was not in fact authorized.
161		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-06 Information security--No private claim for relief.	1. Telephone companies that maintain telephone records of a resident of this state shall establish reasonable procedures to protect against unauthorized or fraudulent disclosure of the records which could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to a customer. 2. This section does not authorize a private claim for relief for a violation of this section.
162		N.D. Cent. Code § 51-34-07. Deceptive act or practice--Enforcement--Powers--Remedies--Venue	The state's attorney or attorney general may enforce this chapter. In enforcing this chapter, the attorney general has all the powers provided in chapter 51-15 and may seek all the remedies in chapter 51-15. A violation of this chapter is a violation of chapter 51-15. The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties under chapter 51-15 and as otherwise provided by law. The attorney general may bring an action pursuant to this section in either the county of the customer's residence or Burleigh County.