(a) General rule.--The department may impose a civil penalty up to $10,000 for each violation of this act.

(b) Criminal liability.--A licensee who acts in accordance with the provisions of this act does not engage in “debt pooling” for purposes of 18 Pa.C.S. § 7312 (relating to debt pooling) and shall not be subject to criminal liability under 18 Pa.C.S. § 7312 unless the license is denied, suspended or revoked or its renewal is refused.

(c) Unfair trade practices.--A person who engages in the business of offering, soliciting or providing debt management services or debt settlement services without being licensed under or exempt from the licensing provisions of this act, or is otherwise in violation of this act in any way, shall be in violation of the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L. 1224, No. 387),¹ known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.