(1) It is a violation of this chapter for any person subject to this chapter to:
- (a) Directly or indirectly employ any scheme, device, or artifice to defraud or mislead any borrower, to defraud or mislead any lender, or to defraud or mislead any person;
- (b) Directly or indirectly engage in any unfair or deceptive practice toward any person;
- (c) Directly or indirectly obtain property by fraud or misrepresentation;
- (d) Make a small loan to any person physically located in Washington through use of the internet, facsimile, telephone, kiosk, or other means without first obtaining a small loan endorsement;
- (e) Accept applications or referrals from an agent or pay for any services provided on your behalf by an agent without first verifying that the agent is licensed under the act;
- (f) Directly or indirectly refer a borrower, or encourage a borrower, to use the services of more than one payday lending business that results in an amount outstanding that exceeds the loan limit in RCW 31.45.073;
- (g) Directly or indirectly structure a loan transaction in order to exceed the loan limit in RCW 31.45.073;
- (h) Directly or indirectly pressure a borrower to not enter into an installment plan;
- (i) Directly or indirectly pressure an applicant or borrower to borrow more money than they state they want; provided, it is not a violation of this subsection for a licensee to inform a borrower as to his or her maximum loan amount or that he or she is subject to a limit of eight loans per twelve-months period;
- (j) Cash a postdated check before the date written on the check except as permitted by RCW 31.45.070(2);
- (k) Make a loan without processing it through the database system except as specifically allowed in law or rule;
- (l) Refuse to provide an installment plan to a borrower who has notified you before the due date of the small loan that they cannot pay the small loan; and
- (m) Engage in any device or subterfuge to evade the requirements of the act.
- (2) In addition to any other penalties, any transaction in violation of subsection (1)(d) of this section is uncollectible and unenforceable.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.320 RCW and RCW 31.45.200. WSR 13-05-005, § 208-630-8201, filed 2/6/13, effective 3/9/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040, 31.45.200, and 2009 c 510. WSR 09-24-089, § 208-630-8201, filed 12/1/09, effective 1/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.320.040. WSR 07-23-094, § 208-630-8201, filed 11/20/07, effective 12/21/07.]