Consumer Protection Committee

Marceline White, Co-Chair, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
Steve Sakamoto-Wengel, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General​​

The purpose of the Consumer Protection Committee is to address issues affecting Maryland residents as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and issues of economic inequality and insecurity. For example, we are concerned about an avalanche of debt collection cases being filed against consumers unable to pay bills during the pandemic once the moratorium is lifted. Additionally, we want to determine how best to make consumers aware of resources available to them and educate them on how to avoid debt-related scams and instead connect consumers with legitimate trained financial counselors to help them address their debt situation. Finally, we want to propose short-term and longer-term policy solutions that the Court and General Assembly can consider to improve outcomes for financially struggling households. ​

Facing Issues With Debt? 

The Consumer Protection Committee of the Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force has developed a website that provides legal information, not legal advice, for individuals who have been sued for a consumer debt of less than $5,000 in a Maryland District Court. This site also offers educational resources for all residents who are interested in finding out more about the debt collection process in Maryland.   https://www.debtcollectionmaryland.org/​

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Past Meetings

​​​11/18/2020 - Meeting   AG​ENDA

11/4/2020 - Meeting   AGE​NDA​   MINUTES​

10/21/2020 - Meeting  AGENDA   MINUTES​

10/7/2020 - Meeting   AGENDA​

9/30/2020 - Meeting   MINUTES

9/16/2020 - Meeting   AGE​​NDA​   MINUTES​

9/2/2020 - Meeting     MINUTES​​

8/26/2020 - Meeting   AGE​NDA​   MINUTES

​8/19/2020 - Meeting   AGEN​​D​A​​   MINUTES

8/12/2020 - Meeting   AGENDA​​​    MINUTES

8/6/2020 - Consumer Education Subcommittee meeting, 12 p.m.​   MINUTES​

8/5/2020 - Meeting   AGENDA

7/29/2020 - Meeting   AGENDA​    MINUTES

7/22/2020 - Meeting   AGENDA​​    MINUTES​

7/15/2020 - Meeting, 3:30pm - 5pm   AGENDA​   MINUTES​

7/8/2020 - Meeting, 3pm - 4pm  MINUTES​

7/2/2020 - Meeting, 1pm - 3pm  AGENDA​   MINUTES​

6/24/2020​ - First meeting, 10am - 12pm ​AGENDA​​