On October 13, Vermont Attorney General (AG) Charity R. Clark announced a settlement with Angi, Inc., (Angi), resolving allegations related to misleading marketing practices.
Angi, an internet referral service, connects individuals with contractors and service professionals. It allows contractors to “affiliate with Angi to promote their services to Vermonters.” Angi had a program where it advertised certain contractors as “Angi’s Certified Pro.” By September 2024, Angi promoted nearly 400 “Certified Pros.” Clark alleged that this terminology constituted unfair and deceptive acts and practices under Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act.
Vermont requires residential contractors to register with Vermont through the Office of Professional Regulation. However, Vermont does not establish any professional qualifications or certification process for contractors. Additionally, Angi does not have a certification process nor the ability or process to credential contractors using the platform. AG Clark alleged that Angi’s use of the “Certified Pro” terminology misled consumers.
The settlement requires Angi to pay Vermont $100,000 and stop using the term “Angi Certified Pro,” along with any other term implying governmental credentialing. Additionally, Angi must direct consumers to Vermont resources where they can verify a Vermont contractor’s registration and must notify Vermont residential contractors of registration requirements.
Why It Matters
The settlement underscores the importance of marketing practices that cannot be challenged as misleading or untruthful. It highlights the need for companies to carefully evaluate how they advertise credentialing or certification claims. The settlement announcement directs consumers to the Vermont AG’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) for questions about contractor registration and related inquiries or complaints.
