CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Welcome to the Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs, your advocates in matters involving disputes between consumers and businesses doing business in Howard County.

The Office of Consumer Affairs is an enforcement agency that has the power to:

• investigate complaints that arise between consumers and companies doing business in Howard County, Maryland, and
  
  
• investigate marketplace practices that may be illegal, deceptive or unfair trade practices.

If you are having difficulties resolving a problem or dispute with a company or service provider that does business in Howard County, click on Consumer Affairs Complaint Filing Information and learn how the Office of Consumer Affairs may be able to assist you.

If you are a door-to-door sales person, side of the road vendor or tow truck operator towing vehicles from private property without the owners permission, Howard County law requires:

• door-to-door sales and side of the road sales persons MUST obtain a Solicitors and Peddlers license from the Office of Consumer Affairs. For more information on this statue or to down load an application for a Solicitors and Peddlers ID Card, click on Solicitors and Peddlers Information.
  
  
• tow truck operators that tow vehicles from private property without the permission of the vehicle owner MUST register with the Office of Consumer Affairs as Trespass Tow Operators. Trespass Tow Operators must abide by certain rules that help to protect the vehicle's owner. Click on Trespass Towing Information for more information on this statue.

Consumer education through written materials and speakers to schools, community groups and businesses is available upon request. To learn more about this free service or to schedule a speaker, call 410-313-6420.

The Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs enforces Title 17, Subtitle 4 (Consumer Protection), Sections 17.400 through 17.413 of the Howard County Code. To view the code, click on Howard County Code and scroll to Title 17.

If you have questions, or need more information, please contact the Office of Consumer Affairs via email at consumer@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6420.