1. The Commissioner shall conduct an investigation if he or she receives a verified complaint from any person that sets forth reason to believe that an unlicensed person is engaging in an activity for which a license is required pursuant to this chapter.

2. If the Commissioner determines that an unlicensed person is engaging in an activity for which a license is required pursuant to this chapter, the Commissioner shall issue and serve on the person an order to cease and desist from engaging in the activity until such time as the person obtains a license from the Commissioner.

3. If a person upon whom an order to cease and desist is served does not comply with the order within 30 days after service, the Commissioner shall, after notice and opportunity for a hearing:

(a) Impose upon the person an administrative fine of $10,000; or

(b) Enter into a written consent agreement with the person pursuant to which the person agrees to cease and desist from all unlicensed activity in this State relating to the collection of debts, and impose upon the person an administrative fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000.

The imposition of an administrative fine pursuant to this subsection is a final decision for the purposes of judicial review.

4. The Commissioner shall bring suit in the name and on behalf of the State of Nevada against a person upon whom an administrative fine is imposed pursuant to subsection 3 to recover the amount of the administrative fine:

(a) If no petition for judicial review is filed pursuant to NRS 233B.130 and the fine remains unpaid for more than 90 days after notice of the imposition of the fine; or

(b) If a petition for judicial review is filed pursuant to NRS 233B.130 and the fine remains unpaid for more than 90 days after exhaustion of any right of appeal in the courts of this State resulting in a final determination that upholds the imposition of the fine.

5. A person’s liability for an administrative fine is in addition to any other penalty provided in this chapter.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 519)