|
|
|
|
Description
|
OVERVIEW: Offers consumer protection against unfair trade practices, health plan refusal and advocates for fair consumer protection laws.
SERVICES:
1) CONSUMER PROTECTION: Provides consumers with assistance in resolving complaints concerning unfair and deceptive trade practices. Responsible for complaint mediation; arbitration; enforcement of civil remedies through court litigation (does not represent individual consumers in court). Provides information concerning a business complaint record. Call the consumer hotline for immediate response. Response time for other complaints may take two weeks or longer.
2) HEALTH UNIT: Assists consumers whose health plan has refused to cover a medical procedure or pay for a medical service that has already been provided. Assists consumers in resolving billing disputes with hospitals, doctors, insurance companies and other health care providers; negotiates refunds or repairs for medical equipment and other health care products that are defective or were never delivered. Immediate response through hotline. Response time for other complaints, two weeks or more.
3) PUBLICATION/LITERATURE: Offers a variety of publications to consumers including consumer guides on buying used cars, purchasing health care, landlord and tenant rights and obligations, selecting a nursing home and other subjects. Consumers Edge, a series of short articles about common consumer problems and scams. In-depth articles in a newsletter-style format on such topics as prescription drugs, home improvements, and complaining effectively. Also fact sheets providing brief explanations of one’s rights under Maryland law.
4) LEGISLATION: Recommends legislation to protect the public from fraudulent schemes and promotions.
5) BUSINESS INQUIRIES: Responds to inquiries from businesses regarding the requirements of Maryland law.
6) IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCES: Offers a listing to report identity theft. Contact the most appropriate venue:
A) IDENTITY THEFT PASSPORTS: Provides assistance offered through the Consumer Protection Division. The Passport may help resolve financial issues caused by identity theft. Apply for Passport by contacting the Identity Theft Unit at [email protected]. For information on identity theft and privacy issues contact Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at 619-298-3396 or www.privacyrights.org. For a universal fraud affidavit, an in-depth guide for recovering from identity theft and to file a complaint, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-ID-THEFT or www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
B) REPORT FRAUD ON CREDIT CARDS: Reports the fraudulent activity to the local police department and place a credit freeze on the account.
Equifax: 888-766-0008. Order a copy of the report: 800-685-1111. Website: www.equifax.com.
Experian: 888-397-3742. Order a copy of the report: 888-397-3742. Website: www.experian.com
TransUnion: 800-680-7289. Order a copy of the report: 877-322-8228. Website: www.transunion.com
o Send freeze requests via certified mail to:
Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion, Fraud Victim Assistance Department, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834
C) LOST/STOLEN: Offer assistance with lost/stolen property. Contact these departments if a social security card, driver’s license number, check number, or bank account has been compromised by an outside party.
o Stolen checks/ Fraudulent bank accounts: If someone has opened an account using someone else’s information, notify that bank and contact Chex Systems, Inc. at 800- 428-9623 or at www.chexhelp.com.
o If a store rejects a check contact one of the following companies:
SCAN: 800-262-7771
TeleCheck: 800-710-9898
CheckRite: 800-766-2748
o Social Security number misuse: Report to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.
o Driver’s License Number Misuse: If someone is using another person’s driver’s license number as identification on bad checks call the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration at 800-950-1682.
D) FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTATION: Assist with fraudulent change of address or a false bankruptcy.
o Change of address: If there is a fraudulent change of address notify the U.S. Postal Inspection System at 877-876-2455.
o False bankruptcy: If someone has filed for bankruptcy in someone else’s name write to the U.S. Trustee in the region where the bankruptcy was filed. A list of the U.S. Trustee Program’s Regional Offices is available at www.usdoj.gov/ust .
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined coverage areas:
Maryland
Maryland - Calvert County
Maryland - Charles County
Maryland - Saint Marys County
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Hours Of Operation
|
Office currently closed to the public; telephone assistance only.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bus Service Access
|
Local bus: Charlotte Hall
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eligibility
|
Open to the public.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Program Fees
|
None.
|
|
Application Process
|
Call for assistance.
|
|
Documents Required
|
Dependent on requested service.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programs at this agency
|
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Eastern Shore
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Western Maryland
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Prince George's County
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Baltimore
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Health Education and Advocacy Unit
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Identity Theft Unit
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Office of Hate Crimes
|
|
Mailing Address
|
5045 Burnt Store Road
Hughesville MD
20637 United States
|
|
|
|
|
Toll Free Number
|
866-366-8343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southern Maryland Phone Lines
|
301-274-4620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main Email Address
|
[email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director or Senior Administrator Name
|
|
|
Director or Senior Administrator Title
|
|
|
Director or Senior Administrator Phone
|
|
|
Director or Senior Administrator Email Address
|
|
|
|
|
|