California § 17538.7 - It is unlawful for a seller to advertise any payment, number of payments, or peri
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 17538.7 — It is unlawful for a seller to advertise any payment, number of payments, or peri, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17538.7. It is unlawful for a seller to advertise any payment, number of payments, or peri
(a) It is unlawful for a seller to advertise any payment, number of payments, or period of repayment for any goods, property, or services purchased through an extension of consumer credit under an open-end credit plan accepted for purchases by more than one seller unless the seller clearly and conspicuously discloses all of the following: (1) The cash price and the amount or percentage of a downpayment, if any. (2) The monthly or other periodic payment, the number of payments or the period of repayment, the total amount of all payments, and whether the monthly or other periodic payment is calculated on the assumption that the purchaser has no outstanding balance due under the open-end credit plan, if that is the case. (3) The amount of the finance charge and any periodic rate that may be applied expressed as an annual percentage rate as described under subdivision (e). If the open-end credit plan provides for a variable periodic rate, that fact shall be disclosed. (4) Any minimum, fixed, transaction, activity, or similar charge and any membership or participation fee that could be imposed. (5) The name of the creditor, if not the seller. (6) Whether the advertised terms are available to the purchaser only after the creditorâs approval, if that is the case. (b) (1) A catalog or other multiple-page advertisement that gives information in a table or schedule in sufficient detail to permit determination of the disclosures required by subdivision (a) shall be considered a single advertisement if (A) the table or schedule is clearly and conspicuously set forth, and (B) any statement of the amount of any payment, the number of payments, or the period of repayment appearing anywhere else in the catalog or advertisement clearly refers to the page on which the table or schedule begins. (2) A catalog or multiple-page advertisement complies with subdivision (a) if the table or schedule includes all appropriate disclosures for a representative scale of amounts up to the level of the more commonly sold higher-priced property or services offered. (c) It is unlawful for a seller to advertise any payment, number of payments, or period of repayment for particular goods, property, or services purchased through an extension of consumer credit under any open-end credit plan unless the seller clearly and conspicuously discloses the cash price proximate to the advertised payment, number of payments, or period of repayment. (d) It is unlawful for a seller to advertise terms that actually are not or will not be arranged or offered by the creditor. (e) (1) For the purposes of this title, the terms âperson,â âcreditor,â âconsumer credit,â âopen-end credit,â âcash price,â âdownpayment,â âfinance charge,â âperiodic rate,â and âannual percentage rateâ have the same meaning as used in Regulation Z. (2) The term âRegulation Zâ shall mean any rule, regulation, or interpretation promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under the Federal Truth in Lending Act, (Public Law 90-321, as amended), and any interpretation or approval issued by an official or employee of the Federal Reserve System duly authorized by the board under the Truth in Lending Act, to issue those interpretations or approvals.
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 17538.7
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 17538.7 cover?
Section 17538.7 ("It is unlawful for a seller to advertise any payment, number of payments, or peri") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 17538.7?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 17538.7" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 17538.7 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.