Consumer Protection Division
The Consumer Protection Division provides mediation services to consumers to help resolve complaints against businesses and health insurance carriers. The Division also provides information about complaints that have been filed against businesses, information regarding new home builder or health club registration, and provides publications to help consumers make good decisions in the marketplace.
OAG Consumer Protection Snapshot
In FY2024, the Consumer Protection Division…
OAG Consumer Protection Snapshot
Received
11,188 Complaints
& 59,704 Inquiries
Recovered
$15.15 Million
for Maryland Consumers
Participated in
Consumer Outreach events
Fairs, Talks, and Community Events
Helpful Links
About the Division
- Consumer Alerts (Subscribe to email alerts here)
- Consumer Publications
- Helpful Consumer Links
- Volunteer/Internship Opportunities
Health
- Health Education and Advocacy Unit
- Health Club Information
- Kosher and Halal Food Products
- Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know
Services
- File a Consumer Complaint
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Identity Theft
- Home Builder Registration Unit
- Vehicle Protection Product Warranty Registration Program
- Homeowners, Condominium, Timeshare Open Records and Meetings Law
- Structured Settlement Transferee Registration
References & Guidance
- Data Privacy in Maryland
- Comprehensive Guide to Identity Theft
- Gift Card Requirements for Retailers
- Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disputes
- Arrendadores Y arrendatarios: Consejos para evitar conflictos
- Lemon Law
- Residential Eviction Prevention Resources
- Maryland State regulations concerning the OAG Consumer Protection Division
- Car Rental Companies - Collision Damage Waiver Disclosure Forms
Consumer Protection Frequently Asked Questions
You can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division either online or by filling out and mailing a consumer complaint form. See File a Consumer Complaint.
If you have a health billing complaint, you can file a complaint with the Division's Health Education and Advocacy Unit.
No. Most contracts do not allow for a 3-day cooling-off period unless specifically stated by law (e.g., door-to-door sales).
Stores must post their return policy. If it's not posted, the store must accept a return within a reasonable time. Defective items must be repaired, replaced, or refunded regardless of policy.
The Division can tell you if complaints have been filed and resolved. Also check the Maryland Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
See our publication: How to Stop Telemarketing and Junk Mail - PDF.
Although you have the right to the information in your medical records, the records themselves belong to the provider. They may charge a fee to cover retrieval and photocopying. Visit our page about requesting more medical records.
No. Eviction is a legal process. A landlord must go to court and get a judgment before evicting you. Changing the locks or removing your belongings without a court order is illegal. Visit our publication on eviction - PDF for more info.
Maryland's Lemon Law applies to a car, light truck, or motorcycle registered in Maryland that’s been driven less than 18,000 miles and owned less than 24 months, and:
- Has a brake or steering failure not corrected after the first attempt, failing Maryland safety inspection;
- Has any one problem impairing use/value not corrected in 4 attempts; or
- Has issues that render it unusable for 30 or more total days.
More information is available in our Maryland’s Lemon Law publication.
Consumer Protection Division Contact & Offices
As a reminder, you can always reach us by email [email protected] (health care/insurance billing) or [email protected] (business complaints), or file a complaint.
Baltimore Metro Area
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
Main number: 410-576-6300 / En español 410-230-1712 / toll-free: 1-888-743-0023
Consumer Hotline: 410-528-8662
Medical Billing/Health Insurance Problems: 410-528-1840 / toll-free: 877-261-8807
Branch Offices Offering Telephone Assistance
- Cumberland Area 301-722-2000 x6417
- Frederick Area 301-600-1071
- Southern Maryland 301-274-4620 or toll-free 1-866-366-8343
Branch Office Locations (closed to the public)
- Eastern Shore: District Court, 201 Baptist Street, Suite 30, Salisbury, MD 21801
- Prince George's: 9200 Basil Court, Suite 301, Largo, MD 20774
- Western Maryland: 44 North Potomac Street, Suite 104, Hagerstown, MD 21740