Any person who suffers an ascertainable loss of money or property as a result of a violation of this part may bring an action individually or in a representative capacity to recover actual damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees. The action may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the alleged practice took place, or is taking place, or in the county where the defendant resides, has principal place of business, conducts, transacts, or has transacted business, or if the person cannot be found in any of the foregoing locations, in the county in which such person can be found.