For Vermont Businesses 

Support	Updates, Rules, and  Reminders
Cyber Security Project Pure Vermont Award Program	Data Security Breaches Cause-related Marketing Gift Cards and Certificates Unsolicited Merchandise Vermont Origins More on Rules

The Vermont Cyber Security Project

The Attorney General and Norwich University’s Center for Advanced Computing and Digital Forensics are offering a series of initiatives to help protect Vermont’s small businesses and consumers online. If you would like to be added to our Cyber Security distribution list please click here.

Cyber Safety for Small Businesses:

• What are the online threats to your business, your customers, and your reputation?
• What should you be doing to protect private information?
• What are your legal responsibilities if you get attacked online?
Find out about upcoming workshops and programs on the Attorney General's website.

Scan Vermont: Norwich University will provide free data security scans for small businesses to help keep your online presence secure. If you are interested in this program, please submit an application here.

Weekend Cyber Security Bootcamp: Special trainings for IT staff and Security officers at Norwich University’s Cyber War Room

Privacy and Data Security Round Table: What legislation would protect Vermont consumers and businesses online?

Pure Vermont Award Program

Attorney General William Sorrell recently announced his Pure Vermont Award Program to recognize Vermont individuals, businesses and organizations that are leaders in promoting fairness in the marketplace, caring for the community and helping their neighbors. To find out more, or nominate an individual, business or organization for the award, visit our Pure Vermont page.

Legislative updates, new rules and reminders for businesses

Both legislative and administrative rule changes affect your business, and our office can help provide guidance on finding the information you need to operate in compliance with market requirements. Below you will find links to resources and information on some of these issues. For more information, contact us.

Unsolicited merchandise protection for Vermont businesses

Changes to the law passed in the 2012 legislative session now prohibit a business from being charged for unsolicited merchandise or services by another business. Have you received an invoice for products you didn't order? Contact us or file a complaint online for assistance!

Cause-related Marketing

Are you thinking of partnering with a non-profit organization to expand your marketing reach and support a cause? Recent changes to the law may apply. Find out more about cause-related marketing requirements to ensure your marketing plan is in compliance with the law.

Data Security Breaches

The Attorney General’s Security Breach Notification Guidance explains the steps that businesses and other data collectors should take in the aftermath of a security breach.  The Guidance explains the requirement to provide preliminary notice of the breach to the Attorney General within 14 days of the breach, and to notify consumers in the most expedient time possible, but in no event longer than 45 days. 

Gift Cards and Certificates

Recent changes in Vermont law bring Vermont's rules on gift cards and gift certificates in line with recent changes in Federal requirements. The amendments address expiration and refund provisions in the law. In summary, gift cards/certificates generally:

• Cannot have an expiration date sooner than 5 years from the date of issuance
• Must have any expiration date printed on the gift card/certificate - if not printed, no expiration is permitted
• Must be refunded after the expiration date if any funds remain
• if promotional, may only have an expiration less than 5 years for the promotional (non-paid) amount of the gift card/certificate.

Know the law! For a detailed explanation of the amended law, see our page on Gift Cards and Gift Certificates.

Vermont Origins

Is your product a Vermont product? Vermont law has specific requirements as to the use of the Vermont brand, particularly with respect to food products, that extend to displays of products or merchandising in stores. See the link above for the specific rules, and contact us if you have questions about complying with the rule.

More on rules....

You can find a list of Vermont's Consumer Protection Rules on the Attorney Generals website.

Have a Question, Comment, or Concern?

If you have a question, comment, or concern about consumer issues that was not answered here, we want to hear from you!  We are interested in learning about areas of issue that are greatest concern to businesses currently.  Please email us at consumer@uvm.edu with your input.  We would like you to be a part of making this section of our website more comprehensive and complete.

Last modified May 14 2013 04:52 PM