The Office of Consumer Protection:
- Advises on consumer rights & responsibilities
- Investigates & mediates consumer complaints §§17.400, 17.500, 17.1201
- Investigates & mediates landlord-tenant disputes §17.1000
- Enforces the County's consumer protection laws
- Regulates solicitors/peddlers & trespass tow companies §§14.700 and 17.600
- Presentations on consumer & tenant rights
Advisory Board on Consumer Protection
The Advisory Board on Consumer Protection works with the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) to educate and protect Howard County consumers. Board members provide feedback and recommendations on OCP's programs, alert OCP to concerns they witness in their communities and assist in educating county residents on OCP's services. The Board submits an annual report to the County Executive and County Council. The Advisory Board on Consumer Protection is governed by Section 17.402 of the Howard County Code.
Additional Resources
The Office of Consumer Protection provides educational content through in-person presentations and through virtual webinars. From scams, to home improvement, to debt collection, and beyond, the Office's YouTube library covers many topics. Videos are available in English, Chinese, Korean and and Spanish.
Residents more comfortable communicating in a language other than English can always ask for an interpreter to be provided by appointment. To make this process easier, the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has specifically recruited volunteers to help with complaints, investigations, and licensing. These volunteers speak Korean, Mandarin and Spanish.
Consumers who wish to speak to OCP staff in these three languages should call 410-313-3820. The outgoing message will prompt the caller (in the languages) to press a number for the correct extension. Our volunteers will:
- work with OCP staff to answer consumer and business questions;
- translate consumer education materials and articles; and
- provide in-person or webinar programs.
If you need to communicate with us in other languages, please call 410-313-6420 and we will accommodate your request.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Association of Community Services Howard County
- Better Business Bureau
- CASH Campaign of Maryland
- Community Action Council of Howard County
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland
- Economic Action Council
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention
- MakingChange, Inc.
- Maryland Legal Aid
- Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
- Pro Bono Research Center MD
- Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
- Maryland Energy Administration
- Maryland General Assembly
- Maryland Insurance Administration
- Maryland Office of the Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division
- Maryland Office of the Attorney General - Securities Division
- Office of People's Counsel
- Public Service Commission
- Secretary of State-Charitable Organizations Division
Consumer related recalls are issued by federal agencies such as The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for consumer goods and by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for motor vehicles. Each agency has a search function to assist consumers in verifying their products.
Two notable CPSC recalls alerted by the Office of Disability Services' Loan Closet are linked below.
Upcoming Events
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