Press release issued 12. 7. 20
OLYMPIA — In response to concerns raised by consumer complaints and news reports, Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued guidance today for third-party restaurant delivery services. The guidance is aimed at helping the companies avoid violations of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act.
The Attorney General’s Office has received approximately 45 complaints about third-party restaurant delivery services in 2020. The complaints cover a variety of issues.
Complaints and news reports highlight serious concerns for both restaurants and individual consumers. When a third-party service implies it is authorized to deliver for a restaurant, it could damage the restaurant’s reputation if the service performs poorly or charges unfair fees.
Consumers complained to the Attorney General’s Office that their bills were higher than expected due to membership or delivery fees. Consumers also complained that the menus posted on the websites of third-party restaurant delivery services did not match the actual restaurant menus.
“As the pandemic continues, many Washingtonians are increasingly using third-party delivery services to access their favorite restaurants,” Ferguson said. “These companies need to be clear and honest with consumers about their fees, and their relationships with restaurants.”
The guidance, available here, highlights conduct that likely violates the Washington Consumer Protection Act, including:
Charging consumers any fee without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the fee before the consumer places an order.
Listing a restaurant or business without their permission.
Establishing or listing false phone numbers, websites, or other contact information for a restaurant or business.
Misrepresenting to consumers the source of the food or products delivered.
Misrepresenting safety precautions.
In November, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a new emergency proclamation capping delivery fees for third-party delivery platforms at 15 percent of the price of the order, and total fees at 18 percent. The proclamation went into effect Nov. 25. Violating that proclamation would also violate the Consumer Protection Act.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
State sees new budget crunch as fewer Washington drivers take toll routes
Traffic is down by about half on the Highway 520 bridge and in the Highway 99 tunnel, after even steeper drops earlier in the year. Neither the bridge nor the tunnel is expected to meet pre-pandemic budget projections.--Seattle Times
Washington lawmakers prepare slew of bills to change policing and accountability--Seattle Times
Puyallup will rent hotel rooms for homeless as part of East Pierce shelter program--Tacoma News Tribune
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/puyallup-herald/ph-news/article247400105.html
What happens if Gov. Jay Inslee takes a job in Biden’s cabinet?--The Columbain
____________IN TODAY'S HEADLINES____________
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
DR Congo: Political tensions, armed attacks, displacement and COVID threats continue
There is a critical need for State institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to provide more stability and safety for citizens facing multiple threats, the head of the UN mission there told the Security Council on Monday. ---un news center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079442
Improved Afghan law still fails victims of sex crimes and violence against women, UN report finds
Afghanistan’s justice system is continuing to fail female victims of violence and sex crimes, despite a 2009 law that was hailed as a significant step forward in legal efforts to protect them, according to a UN report published jointly on Monday by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) and the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).--un news center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079422
Transfer of Rohingya refugees to Bay of Bengal island ‘must be voluntary’: UN refugee agency--un news center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079392
Guterres spotlights ‘critical role’ of aviation in pandemic recovery, marking International Day.
The UN Secretary-General has called for greater support for the aviation sector, badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, to allow it to better weather the global economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. --un news center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079382
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
U.S. Trustee Program Reaches Agreements with Three Mortgage Servicers Providing More than $74 Million in Remediation to Homeowners in Bankruptcy.--DOJ
79th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack Examines What it Means to Go Above and Beyond the Call
Navy Adm. John Aquilino, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, is the keynote speaker for the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 2020. The theme of this year's ceremony is "Above and Beyond the Call" and focuses on Battlefield O’ahu. Additional speakers include Scott Burch, superintendent of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, David Bernhardt, secretary of the Interior, and Navy Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Group Middle Pacific.--DOD
See DOD video
https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live-Events/#/?currentVideo=25300
U.S. Department of Education Announces Major Settlement with Temple University for Fox School of Business Falsifying U.S. News & World Report Business School Rankings--Dept. of Education
Secretary DeVos Extends Student Loan Forbearance Period Through January 31, 2021, in Response to COVID-19 National Emergency
BUSINESS & FINANCE HEADLINES:
Federal Reserve Board announces annual indexing of reserve requirement exemption amount and of low reserve tranche for 2021--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20201207a.htm
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PUBLISHES FINAL RULE TO IMPLEMENT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released its “Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause’s Religious Exemption” Final Rule, which will be published in an upcoming edition of the Federal Register. This rule will encourage the full and equal participation of religious organizations as federal contractors. Religious organizations, many of them small nonprofits, provide such essential services as feeding the hungry, supporting refugees, and educating our nation’s students.--US LABOR
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ofccp/ofccp20201207
FTC Challenges Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc.’s Proposed Acquisition of Competitor Englewood Healthcare Foundation--FTC dated 12.3.20
FTC Staff Issues FY 2017 Report on Branded Drug Firms' Patent Settlements with Generic Competitors.
CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION FRAUD CASE
AG Barr Now Considering Resigning Early---NEWSMAX
Sidney Powell's Michigan 'Kraken' Suit Slammed by Federal Judge---NEWSMAX
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/sidney-powell-michigan-kraken-lawsuit/2020/12/07/id/1000347/
Arizona Supreme Court agrees to weigh election challenge---Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/dec/7/arizona-supreme-court-agrees-weigh-election-challe/
Federal judge rejects Michigan GOP push to decertify election results--Washington Examiner
TODAY'S VIDEO
LIVE: President Trump in Valdosta, GA #Valdosta #Georgia--Trump Team
https://www.facebook.com/officialteamtrump/videos/387370865862306
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John 11:25 (New King James Version)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
