Contact: Sue Rogan, 240-777-3722
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2001

Merchant Complaint Records
Now Available Online

Consumers can now check out the complaint records of merchants in Montgomery County by going online to the County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) website. The website provides information on complaints filed with the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) during the last three years.

“This online service should make it much easier for consumers to check out the complaint records of merchants with whom they are contemplating doing business,” said Consumer Affairs Chief George Rose. “A merchant’s complaint record can be an important factor in deciding where to purchase a product or service.”

This popular service has been provided by telephone for more than 25 years, and is now being offered for the first time online. In the past, DCA has received up to 30,000 requests each year for this information.

To access DCA’s merchant complaint records, go to DHCA’s website at hca.emontgomery.org and click on “Disclosure of Merchant Complaint Records.” Consumers can still receive information on merchant complaint records and other important pre-purchase information over the telephone by calling DCA at 240-777-3636.

Consumers should also check merchant complaint records at the Better Business Bureau by calling 202-393-8000, or by going to the Bureau’s website at www.dc.bbb.org/consumer.html.

For more information, call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 240-777-3636.