2008 News Releases 

Office of Consumer Protection Announces Activities for Hispanic Heritage Month /Actividades de la Oficina de Protección al Consumidor (OCP) Durante el mes de la Herencia Hispana In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is focusing its consumer education activities on the Hispanic community and will be participating at several health fairs and community festivals in the county. (9/15/08)  County Warns Businesses About Phony Award Scam Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning local businesses and organizations not to be fooled by email messages stating that they have been selected to win an award. The email messages are deceptive solicitations seeking payment for worthless awards (9/10/08) Consumer Protection Signs Settlement Agreement with Five Car Dealerships Regarding Deceptive Advertising /OCP firma acuerdo para terminar con los avisos engañosos The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection has entered into settlement agreements with five auto dealerships in the county and an advertising agency, Kell Communications, to stop using deceptive advertisements regarding sale prices and prize offers. (9/8/08) Public Forum Planned to Address Financial Privacy and Identity Theft Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection and the Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection are hosting a public forum to discuss financial privacy and identity theft concerns. Entitled “Protecting Your Financial Privacy and Preventing Identity Theft,” the forum will be held on Monday, June 23 from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. NBC TV-4 Consumer reporter Liz Crenshaw will moderate and lead a discussion with leading experts from the County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), the Federal Trade Commission, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, the Montgomery County Police, the Credit Reporting Bureaus and a consumer attorney. In addition, a nationally known victim of identity theft will share her experiences. (6/6/08) Consumers and Merchants Invited to a Consumer Protection Walking Tour in the Wheaton Area   On Wednesday, June 11 from 9 to 11 a.m., Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) will conduct a “Look, Listen and Learn” walking tour in the Wheaton Triangle area to facilitate conversations between OCP staff, consumers and business owners. The tour is part of OCP’s outreach campaign to develop a better understanding of the particular consumer protection needs and issues of the Hispanic/Latino community. OCP staff will also be available at the Mid-County Regional Service Center during tour hours. (6/9/08)   Property Tax Disclosure ‘Calculator’ to be Revealed for Media on Wed., March 19 After April 1, Measure Requires Montgomery County Home Sellers to Tell Potential Buyers in Advance of Estimated Tax Bill for First Year in the Purchased Home ROCKVILLE, Md., March 18, 2008—On April 1, a law unanimously passed by the Montgomery County Council and signed by County Executive Isiah Leggett will go in effect requiring sellers of homes to provide a potential homebuyer with an estimate of what their actual property tax bill and other non-tax charges will be in the first full fiscal year after they purchase the home. The bill will eliminate the shock that many County homebuyers have endured in recent years when they learned that they will pay significantly higher property taxes than did the seller. (3/18/08) County’s Permitting Services to Require Licensing Information from Contractors Beginning April 1, the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will require all contractors applying for building permits for home improvement projects to provide their valid Maryland Home Improvement Contractor’s license number before a building permit may be issued in their name. (3/14/08) Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Joins Broad Coalition to Highlight Annual National Consumer Protection Week Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has joined a group of federal, state and local government agencies and other national consumer advocacy organizations to launch the 10th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 2 – 8. The goal of NCPW is to encourage consumers nationally to make smarter decisions about managing their money, using credit wisely and building a solid financial foundation. (3/3/08) County Prompts Legal Action Against Travel Agent Following an investigation by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), a case was sent to the State’s Attorney for criminal prosecution involving a travel agent who, after receiving more than $50,000 from consumers, failed to provide travel arrangements. The agent pled guilty and is currently serving a jail sentence. (2/29/08) Consumer Protection Charges Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractor Following an investigation by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), an arrest warrant has been obtained for an unlicensed home improvement contractor who was paid $82,500 but failed to provide the agreed upon services. The warrant, issued on January 17, charges Cesar Suazo Rivera of Falls Church, Virginia with acting as a home improvement contractor without the required license, abandoning the job, and felony theft. Click here for Picture of contractor. (2/21/08) Consumer Protection Reminds Residents that Analog Cell Phone Service Ending The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) reminds consumers that, effective midnight on February 18, 2008, cellular telephone companies may no longer provide analog service, and will be converting to digital technology. While this should not cause a disruption in service, some cell phones, home alarm systems and OnStar in-vehicle communication services may not work after February 18 if they rely on analog equipment. (2/13/08) Fire and Rescue Service and Consumer Protection Find Potentially Unsafe Electrical Appliances for Sale; Consumers Warned about Purchasing Unsafe Electrical Products Montgomery County’s Fire and Rescue Service and Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) officials announced at a news conference today in Bethesda that they have found and removed electrical space heaters and extension cords, as well as other potentially dangerous electrical items being sold throughout Montgomery County that were not properly tested and certified. County and State laws provide that it is illegal to sell electrical products unless they are clearly labeled with the symbol from a certified testing laboratory. The purpose of the laboratory testing is to ensure the product’s safety. (1/28/08) 2007 News Releases  Consumer Protection Issues Annual Report on Prepaid Gift Cards Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has issued its fifth annual gift card study called, “Gift Cards 2007: Best and Worst Retail Cards; A Deeper View of Bank Cards Doesn’t Improve Their Look.” The report contains valuable information and recommendations regarding gift cards issued by 22 stores and restaurants and 20 banks/financial institutions. (11/20/07)  County Council Committee to Discuss Consumer Issues on Thursday, Nov. 15 Montgomery’s Office of Consumer Protection Will Detail Significant Problems / Scams That Have Become Prominent Car dealers using “Spot Delivery.” Unlicensed limousine services providing poor service. Increasing fake check scams. These are some of the problems that Montgomery County consumers have encountered and that will be the subject of discussion at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, when the County’s Office of Consumer Protection updates the County Council’s Public Safety Committee on its recent initiatives to help consumers and businesses. (11/15/07) Consumer Protection Issues Report on Limousine Companies Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has issued a report which found that 51 percent of the 136 limousine firms listed in the Montgomery County “Yellow Pages” telephone directory are not licensed with the Public Service Commission and 88 percent are not licensed with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission. The report also found that 75 percent of the firms which specifically advertised “airport” service were not licensed to pick up passengers at Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport by the Maryland Aviation Administration. (11/13/07) OCP Investigative Report – Limousine Service Firms OCP Survey-Excel Spreadsheet of Firms Leggett Seeks Applicants for Advisory Committee On Consumer Protection County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection. One of the vacancies is for a public-at-large member and one of the vacancies is for a member from the Better Business Bureau or another County-wide association of merchants. The nine-member committee advises the County’s Office of Consumer Protection. Members serve three-year terms without compensation. Meetings are generally held the first Tuesday morning of each month in Rockville at 8:00 a.m. Interested applicants should write by August 24 to County Executive Isiah Leggett at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850 or send an e-mail to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov.(8/3/07) County to Offer $1 Million in Refunds to Consumers as Part of Settlement from Lawsuit Against Thomas Warner and Warner Companies Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is sending postcards to more than 10,000 consumers notifying them that they are eligible to receive a refund as part of a settlement totaling over $1 million collected as a result of a lawsuit against Warner Plumbing and related companies. (8/1/07)

Friedman Confirmed as Director of Office of Consumer Protection Following Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett’s appointment of Eric Friedman as the Director of the Office of Consumer Protection, the County Council unanimously confirmed the appointment on July 19. "Eric has almost three decades of experience protecting consumers in Montgomery County and is well known and respected in this field," said Leggett. "Under his leadership, our Consumer Protection Office has earned a national reputation for consumer advocacy and protection. I am proud to be able to appoint him to this position and look forward to having the benefit of his knowledge and expertise." (7/24/07) Leggett to Participate in Consumer Public Forum about Mortgage-Related Concerns

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will welcome attendees at a public forum for consumers that will examine mortgage-related concerns. Entitled “Your Home, Your Money,” the forum will be held on Wednesday, July 18 from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Avenue. NBC TV-4 Consumer reporter Liz Crenshaw will moderate and lead a discussion with experts from the County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), consumer advocacy groups, real estate industry, Maryland state government, the banking industry and members of the audience. (6/27/07) Consumer Protection Plans Walking Tour in Takoma/Langley Crossroads Area Investigators in Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) will conduct a “Look, Listen & Learn” walking tour in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Shopping Center on Wednesday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. The purpose of the tour is to initiate a conversation with consumers and business owners in underserved sections of Montgomery County.(6/19/07) Upcounty Shredding Day to be Held June 23 Residents in upper Montgomery County will have a chance to safely destroy sensitive personal documents during the Upcounty Shredding Day to be held on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd. in Germantown. Residents are advised to destroy all documents that they otherwise are not required to keep for agencies such as the IRS, etc. Materials containing the following should be considered: account numbers, addresses, birth dates, email addresses, names, passwords and pins, phone numbers, signatures and social security numbers. (6/18/07) Hurricane Seasons Begins in June; County Offers Preparedness Safety Tips June is traditionally the start of hurricane season, and Montgomery County’s Homeland Security Department is urging residents to learn more about hurricane safety and to heed storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Consumer tips are included. (6/5/07) Seminars Planned Presenting Tips on How to Avoid Scams and Conserve Energy The Upcounty Regional Services Center and the Office of Consumer Protection are teaming up to present two consumer-related seminars on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Germantown Library, 19840 Century Boulevard. (5/10/07)

Consumer Protection Signs Settlement Agreement with Furniture Retailer Regarding Deceptive Sales Practices

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has entered into a settlement agreement with a furniture retailer that failed to comply with laws regarding delivery dates, warranties and refund policies. Casa America Furniture, Inc., trading as “Casa Furniture” and “America’s Furniture,” signed a settlement agreement after OCP received and investigated more than 20 complaints in the last three years from Spanish-speaking consumers. The merchant operates two stores in Montgomery County located in Wheaton and Long Branch, and was previously warned about violations of law. (3/12/07)

County, State and Federal Agencies Team Up to Highlight Consumer Protection and Education Efforts; February 4-10 is National Consumer Protection Week
Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has joined a group of federal, state and local government agencies, and other national consumer advocacy organizations from around the country to launch the ninth annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), February 4-10. This year’s theme, “Read Up and Reach Out to be an Informed Consumer,” highlights consumer education efforts in the fight against fraud in communities across the nation. By gathering and sharing information, consumers – and their friends and families – can be more confident, savvy and safe in the marketplace.  (2/2/07) 

County to Offer $1 Million in Refunds to Consumers as Part of Settlement from Lawsuit Against Thomas Warner and Warner Companies

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is sending postcards to more than 10,000 consumers notifying them that they are eligible to receive a refund as part of a settlement totaling over $1 million collected as a result of a lawsuit against Warner Plumbing and related companies. (1/23/07)

Cease and Desist Order Served on Out of State Loan Company  

BALTIMORE-Maryland’s Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation issued a Press Release today warning residents about illegal internet consumer or installment loans. Out-of-state companies loaning money to Maryland residents must be licensed to do business in Maryland and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of state laws and interest rates which protect consumers.

A joint investigation by the Financial Regulation Enforcement Unit of DLLR and the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection found an unlicensed California company loaning money to a MontgomeryCounty resident at interest rates over 73 percent far exceeding the Maryland cap of 24 percent.The $3500.00 loan used the woman’s car as collateral and required sixty monthly payments of $224.39 or a total of $13,463.40 over the life of the loan.A cease and desist order was served. (1/11/07)

 2006 News Releases 
 

Consumer Protection Issues Annual Report on Prepaid Gift Cards Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has issued its fourth annual gift card study called, “Gift Cards 2006: Retail Cards Continue to Improve (With Prodding); Bank Cards Still Have Problems.” The report contains valuable information and recommendations regarding gift cards issued by 40 stores and restaurants and 10 banks/financial institutions (11/21/06) Conviction Obtained for Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractor  Following an investigation by the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), and prosecution by the Office of the State’s Attorney, an unlicensed home improvement contractor pled guilty in Maryland District Court to felony theft and operating without a license. The contractor was sentenced to three years and three months jail time. (10/31/06) Duncan Warns of Police Charity Scam; Out-of-State Group Using "Mail Drop" in Montgomery County; Calls for Stepped Up Enforcement by State

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today warned consumers about an out-of-state police charity scam operating in Montgomery County that spends the vast majority of the money it collects to pay the salaries of its staff and its fundraising expenses. (8/29/06)

Duncan Fights Pepco Rate Hike; Consumer Protection Office Files Motion to Intervene on Behalf of Ratepayers

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced that the County’s Office of Consumer Protection filed a motion to intervene at the April 21st closed proceedings before Maryland’s Public Service Commission (PSC) on a plan that would increase PEPCO customer’s rates by nearly 40%. (4/20/06)

Consumer Protection Announces Bilingual Volunteers
Montgomery County's Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has recently enlisted a team of Spanish-speaking volunteers who are able to assist with investigating and resolving consumer complaints. (3/31/06)

Office of Human Rights Hosts Fair Housing Forum
In celebration of Fair Housing Month, the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights will host an educational forum on Thursday, April 27 from 1 to 4 p.m., in the Council Office Building, First Floor Auditorium, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville.  Presentations will feature representatives from the Office of Human Rights, Office of Consumer Protection, Housing Opportunities Commission, Landlord-Tenant Affairs Division and Maryland Commission on Human Relations. (3/27/06)

Duncan Opens New Consumer Protection Office, Announces Hiring of Latino Investigator, February 5-11 is National Consumer Protection Week -- official opening of the County's new Office of Consumer Protection and the hiring of an Investigator who will specialize in consumer protection issues impacting the Hispanic community. (2/07/06)