Helpful Websites for Consumers
These links to other websites are provided for convenience. The inclusion of a link is not an endorsement by the Maryland Attorney General's Office of the site or its contents.
Consumer Organizations & Federal Agencies
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - Consumer information and fraud alerts for older persons
- Consumer Affairs - Independent web-based consumer news and resource center, providing recall information and consumer reviews
- Consumer Action Website - Find help on buying/leasing cars, shopping from home, protecting privacy, avoiding scams
- Consumer Product Safety Commission - Product recalls/safety issues
- Consumer Reports - Unbiased non-profit magazine that tests consumer products and provides reviews
- The Council of Better Business Bureaus - Links to local Better Business Bureaus, consumer alerts, scam warnings
- Energy Star - EPA website with information about saving money and energy with Energy Star appliances and homes
- Federal Reserve Board Consumer Information - Information about credit cards, home mortgages, car leasing; how to file bank complaints
- Federal Trade Commission - Consumer factsheets on automobiles, credit, home improvement, telemarketing, and more
- Who Cares: Sources of Information About Health Care Products and Services - PDF - Sources of information about health care products and services
- Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. - Free civil legal services in Maryland for low-income people
- National Association of Attorneys General - Locate other states' Attorneys General
- North American Securities Administrators Association - Investor education
- National Consumer Law Center - Advocacy for low-income consumers, credit insurance, foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy, eviction
- National Consumers League - Advocacy group offering consumer information
- National Council on Economic Education - Promotes economic literacy of K-12 students; provides teaching materials
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Auto recalls/service bulletins
Maryland State Agencies & Law
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Check online if a tree contractor is licensed with the State or file a complaint against a licensed tree expert.
- Maryland Division of Financial Regulation - Handles complaints involving mortgage lenders, consumer loans, installment sales, collection agencies
- Maryland Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Check online if a business or individual is licensed with the state
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission - Check contractor records or file complaints
- Maryland Insurance Administration - Handle complaints and information about health/auto insurance, comparative rate guides
- Maryland Law Library - Maryland Code and COMAR online
- Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight - Handle cemetery/monument dealer complaints, consumer tips for purchases
- Maryland People's Counsel - Represents residential customers in utility matters (gas, electric, phone, water, transportation)
- Maryland Real Property Search Online Database - Find last sales price of houses from Department of Assessments and Taxation
- Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division - Find charities registered with the state
- People's Law Library of Maryland - Legal information on landlord-tenant, immigration, domestic violence, family law, disabilities, bankruptcy
Internet/Privacy Issues
- Identity Theft Resource Center - Non-profit providing free information to identity theft victims and prevention tips
- FTC's Identity Theft website - Federal government website about identity theft - prevention, victim assistance, laws
- econsumer.gov - FTC-maintained site with global consumer agency contacts, file complaints about foreign online transactions
- Internet Crime Complaint Center - FBI/NW3C partnership clearing house for internet cyber crime complaints
- National Fraud Information Center - Information about internet and telemarketing scams
- Network Solutions - Find out who owns an internet domain name
- Privacy Rights Clearinghouse - Information about identity theft, privacy rights, opt-out notices from financial institutions