§ 458-a. Legislative findings and declarations; purposes. The legislature finds and declares:

1. The ability to obtain and use credit has become of great importance to consumers, who have a vital interest in establishing and maintaining their credit worthiness and credit standing. As a result, consumers who have experienced credit problems may seek assistance from credit services businesses which offer to improve the credit standing of such consumers.

Certain advertising and business practices of some companies engaged in the business of credit services have worked a financial hardship upon the people of this state, often those who are of limited economic means and inexperienced in credit matters.

2. The purposes of this article are to provide prospective consumers of services of credit services companies with the information necessary to make an informed decision regarding the purchase of those services and to protect the public from unfair or deceptive advertising and business practices.