New Mexico AG Secures $350,000 Settlement for Spa Consumers

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Filed August 15th, 2025

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced a $350,000 settlement with Santa Fe Spa Center (Voupre Spa) for alleged violations of the Unfair Practices Act. The settlement aims to provide restitution to consumers who were subjected to deceptive and aggressive sales tactics and charged prices significantly higher than verbally agreed upon. The spa is also required to implement clearer pricing and return policies.

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What changed

The New Mexico Department of Justice, through Attorney General Raúl Torrez, has secured a $350,000 settlement with Santa Fe Spa Center (also known as Voupre Spa or SHM Group 2019, Inc.). The lawsuit alleged violations of the Unfair Practices Act, including aggressive and deceptive sales tactics that led consumers to be charged significantly more than verbally agreed-upon prices. The settlement requires the defendants to pay $350,000 for restitution to affected consumers and mandates clearer pricing disclosure, itemized receipts, and a compliant return policy.

Consumers who believe they were affected by Santa Fe Spa Center's practices and were pressured into unexpected or excessively expensive purchases are urged to submit a claim to the NMDOJ by February 10, 2026. The department will review claims for restitution eligibility. The settlement also includes stipulations for defendants to report business name changes within 30 days and to ensure all prices are clearly disclosed before transactions are completed. Failure to comply with these terms could result in further action.

What to do next

Consumers to submit claims for restitution by February 10, 2026
Defendants to report any business name changes within 30 days

Penalties

$350,000 in restitution to consumers

Source document (simplified)

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Attorney General Raúl Torrez Secures $350,000 Settlement in Santa Fe Plaza Spa Case

August 15, 2025

Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Department of Justice and its Consumer Protection Bureau has secured a $350,000 settlement for consumers in the case of Santa Fe Spa Center (also known as Voupre Spa or SHM Group 2019, Inc.). Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the spa and its owners in 2024 alleging violations of the Unfair Practices Act (UPA) accusing the business of using aggressive and deceptive practices to lure individuals into the store – often charging customers double or triple verbally agreed-upon prices.

“Our Department has been hard at work on this case, and we are proud to return money to consumers who were targeted and financially harmed,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Visitors and locals alike should never be charged thousands of dollars more than a fair price, nor should they be subjected to high-pressure sales tactics and false promises designed to trick them into buying products they don’t want or need. This case underscores our commitment to protecting consumers in New Mexico and holding bad actors fully accountable for exploiting our communities. If you believe you were affected, we urge you to submit a claim with our office right away.”

The NMDOJ will be reaching out to those who have already filed a complaint with our office. Individuals who feel that they have been affected by this case and were pressured into an unexpected or excessively expensive purchase by Santa Fe Spa Center (Voupre Spa) can fill out a form and submit documentation of payment discrepancies to the NMDOJ HERE. The NMDOJ will review all claims for restitution eligibility. Claims must be submitted prior to February 10, 2026.

The settlement includes the following stipulations:

Defendants shall pay restitution to the NMDOJ in an amount of $350,000 which shall be used as restitution or remediation to those consumers who filed complaints and have been determined to be substantiated and entitled to restitution.
Unknown claimants can file for a period of 180 days after the Effective Date of the settlement.
Defendants shall ensure that all prices for products or services offered to consumers are fully disclosed in a manner that is clear and conspicuous prior to the completion of any transaction.
Defendants shall complete all customer transactions within the confines of each retail location, either at a centralized point of sale or on the sales floor.
At the time of each transaction, Defendants shall provide the customer with a receipt that itemizes all products or services purchased, the total price paid and any applicable taxes, discounts or adjustments.
Defendants shall implement and maintain a reasonable return policy that complies with the Unfair Practices Act (UPA), is disclosed to consumers at or before the time of sale and is available in writing.
Defendant must report to the NMDOJ via written notice within 30 days of a change in business name, reorganization or branding that could affect consumer recognition of the entity responsible for the transaction. NMDOJ v Santa Fe Spa – Settlement Agreement

The NMDOJ is committed to protecting consumers from bad actors Anyone who believes they have been defrauded by an individual or business entity in New Mexico is encouraged to submit a complaint to the NMDOJ via https://nmdoj.gov/get-help/submit-a-complaint/.