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SB 816

Consumer Protection - As enacted, adds as unlawful under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977 the making of false statements or misrepresentations of fact to a consumer to indicate or imply that the consumer is a party to a civil lawsuit or a defendant in a criminal prosecution in order to induce the consumer to pay for services related to the purported lawsuit or prosecution or to pay costs, fines, penalties, or other assessments related to the purported lawsuit or prosecution. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 39; Title 47 and Title 65.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Lowe

Tennessee law now criminalizes false claims of pending lawsuits or criminal charges to defraud consumers into paying fake legal fees or penalties.

Pub. Ch. 177
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Bill Summary · SB 816

Legislative bill overview

SB 816 makes it unlawful under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act to falsely tell consumers they are parties to lawsuits or defendants in criminal cases in order to trick them into paying for legal services or court-related fees. The bill targets scam tactics where fraudsters impersonate legal authorities to extract money from victims.

Why is this important

This addresses a widespread consumer fraud scheme where scammers contact people claiming they owe money for fictional legal proceedings, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest or judgment. The legislation provides legal recourse for defrauded consumers and gives Tennessee authorities a clearer basis to prosecute perpetrators of these schemes, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including elderly residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement challenges: Scammers often operate from out-of-state or internationally, making prosecution and victim recovery difficult despite clear legal prohibitions
  • Definitional scope: The bill's effectiveness depends on how courts interpret "false statements or misrepresentations" and whether it adequately covers emerging fraud variations (spoofed caller IDs, deepfakes, sophisticated impersonation)
  • Overlap with existing law: Unclear whether this adds substantive protections beyond existing fraud and wire fraud statutes, or mainly clarifies existing provisions for consumer protection cases

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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