2008 News

Groups Issue 'Gift Card Holder's Bill of Rights' for Holiday Season
The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, along with OCP and Consumer Action, today called on issuers of gift cards—banks, credit card companies, and retailers—to go easy on consumers this holiday season by lightening up on fees and expiration dates on gift cards. NCL is asking gift card issuers to adhere to a “Gift Card Holder’s Bill of Rights,” setting out what advocates believe would be fairer terms and fees than those currently associated with the cards.  Release Date: 11/18/08       

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.  Release Date: 09/15/09

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.  Release Date: 09/10/08

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.  Release Date: 09/08/08 

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.  Release Date: 06/09/08

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. Release Date: 06/06/2008

Property Tax Disclosure ‘Calculator’ to be Revealed for Media on Wed., March 19 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.  Release Date: 03/18/08

 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.  Release Date: 03/14/08

 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.   Release Date: 03/03/08

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.  Release Date: 02/29/08

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. Release Date: 02/21/08

Consumer Protection Reminds Residents that Analog Cell Phone Service Ending  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.  Release Date: 02/13/08

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.  Release Date: 01/28/08