RCW 63.29.350
Penalty for excessive fee for locating abandoned property—Consumer protection act application. (Effective until January 1, 2023.)
(1) It is unlawful for any person to seek or receive from any person or contract with any person for any fee or compensation for locating or purporting to locate any property which he or she knows has been reported or paid or delivered to the department of revenue pursuant to this chapter, or funds held by a county that are proceeds from a foreclosure for delinquent property taxes, assessments, or other liens, or, funds that are otherwise held by a county because of a person's failure to claim funds held as reimbursement for unowed taxes, fees, or other government charges, in excess of five percent of the value thereof returned to such owner. Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than the amount of the fee or charge he or she has sought or received or contracted for, and not more than ten times such amount, or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.
(2) The legislature finds that the practices covered by this section are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. Any violation of this section is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business. It is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. Remedies provided by chapter 19.86 RCW are cumulative and not exclusive.
[ 2012 c 117 § 181; 2010 c 29 § 2; 1983 c 179 § 35.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 63.29 - Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
63.29.010 - Definitions and use of terms.
63.29.020 - Property presumed abandoned—General rule—Exceptions.
63.29.030 - General rules for taking custody of intangible unclaimed property.
63.29.040 - Travelers checks and money orders.
63.29.060 - Bank deposits and funds in financial organizations.
63.29.070 - Funds owing under life insurance policies.
63.29.080 - Deposits held by utilities.
63.29.090 - Refunds held by business associations.
63.29.100 - Stock and other intangible interests in business associations.
63.29.110 - Property of business associations held in course of dissolution.
63.29.120 - Property held by agents and fiduciaries.
63.29.130 - Property held by courts and public agencies—When abandoned—Overpayments.
63.29.133 - Property held by landlord.
63.29.135 - Abandoned intangible property held by local government.
63.29.140 - Gift certificates and credit memos.
63.29.160 - Contents of safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository.
63.29.165 - Property in self-storage facility.
63.29.170 - Report of abandoned property.
63.29.180 - Notice and publication of information about unclaimed property.
63.29.190 - Payment or delivery of abandoned property.
63.29.192 - Penalty and interest paid in excess—Refunds—Returns.
63.29.193 - Petition for review—Denied application for refund or return.
63.29.194 - Appeal of payment or delivered property.
63.29.195 - Agreement—Established between a holder and the department.
63.29.210 - Crediting of dividends, interest, or increments to owner's account.
63.29.220 - Public sale of abandoned property.
63.29.240 - Filing of claim with department.
63.29.250 - Claim of another state to recover property—Procedure.
63.29.260 - Action to establish claim.
63.29.270 - Election to take payment or delivery.
63.29.290 - Periods of limitation.
63.29.300 - Requests for reports and examination of records.
63.29.310 - Retention of records.
63.29.330 - Interstate agreements and cooperation—Joint and reciprocal actions with other states.
63.29.340 - Interest and penalties.
63.29.360 - Foreign transactions.
63.29.380 - Information and records confidential.
63.29.900 - Effect of new provisions—Clarification of application.
63.29.902 - Uniformity of application and construction.