Consumer Protection

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, Spanish and Korean.

• YouTube: Office of Consumer Protection

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
• Maryland Legal Aid
• Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
• Pro Bono Research Center MD

• Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
  • Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
• 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

• Commodity Futures Trading Commission
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Environmental Protection Agency
  • Energy Star Program
  • Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
• Federal Trade Commission
  • National Do Not Call Registry
  • Report Fraud or Scams to FTC
  • Report Identity Theft and Get Help
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
• Securities and Exchange Commission

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 include:

The CPSC urges Consumers to Immediately Stop Use of Mobility Transfer Systems Adult Portable Bed Rails Due to Entrapment and Asphyxia Hazard

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Recalls Bed Assist Handles and Rails

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare has announced the recall of four different models of its Bed Assist Handles and Rail. The four recalled models are:

• Model 15064, Bed Assist Handle
• Model 15062, Bed Assist Rail with Folding Board
• Model RTL15073, Home Bed Assist Handle (adjustable)
• Model RTL15063-ADJ, Home Bed Assist Handle (adjustable)

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled items and contact Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare to receive a full refund. Contact Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare at. 877-467-3099 or click here for more information. 

Essential Medical Supply Inc. Recalls Adult Portable Bed Rails Due to Entrapment and Asphyxia Hazard

Essential Medical Supply Inc. announced the recall of four models of the company’s Endurance Hand Bed Rails, including the Hand Bed Rail (model P1410), Hand Bed Rail with Pouch (model P1410-P), Hand Bed Rail with Floor Support (model P1411), and Hand Bed Rail with Floor Support with Pouch (model P1411-P). 

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled items. For information about refunds, contact Essential Medical Supply toll-free at 888-856-0111 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit essentialmedicalsupply.com and click on “Important Safety Notice” at the top of the page. Or, go to https://essentialmedicalsupply.com/products/recalls. More details can be found in the recall notification.

If you have any questions regarding these notices, you may contact Maryland Access Point, Howard County at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or email map@howardcountymd.gov.