COVID-19 Coronavirus FAQs  ​​

​​Updated September 2021​

Please note: The Attorney General's Office is the attorney for the state and its agencies and cannot offer legal advice to individuals. If you need help with a personal legal matter, you may want to contact a private attorney.

1.  How do I report suspected price-gouging in stores or from online sellers to your office?

The Governor's Order prohibiting price gouging expired April 30, 2021.  Despite this, you may still report price-gouging to our office so we may keep the Governor and the legislature aware of the concerns. Please submit your price-gouging complaint on our website using the General Complaint Form. You can also download a paper complaint form, including instructions for filing, here. Alternatively, you may send a letter describing your complaint, along with copies of relevant documentation to: Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. Instead of mailing, you may fax this information to 410-576-7040. We are unable to accept complaints by email.

2.  Can I be evicted in Maryland even if I can't pay my rent because of the COVID pandemic?

Yes, a landlord can evict you for failure to pay your rent. However, eviction is a judicial process and a landlord cannot evict you without going to court.

There are no longer any state or federal protections in place to prevent evictions of residential tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are behind on rent or facing eviction from your home, it's extremely important that you seek help before simply moving out. There are resources available that may help you avoid eviction. Most of these resources, however, are available only while you are still living in your rental home. You can find a list of resources on our Residential Eviction Prevention webpage.

For more information about landlord and tenant laws and rights in Maryland, see the Consumer Protection Division's “Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disputes."

3.  I'm being required to go to work, but feel that it's unsafe or unsanitary. Can my employer force me to work in these conditions?

Please look at our employee FAQs here.

4.  I'm worried about falling behind on my mortgage. Can I get the lender to defer payments or set up an alternative payment plan?

You should first contact your lender or servicer directly to let them know your situation. Most have information on their websites that provide guidance on what to do. In addition, some lenders are offering forbearance plans. 

If you still encounter problems after contacting your lender, please contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (if your lender is a national bank) at 855-411-2372 to file a complaint. If your lender is a state or local bank, please contact the Division of Financial Regulation at 410-230-6077.

5.  Can I get out of a lease because of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Generally, this is not a basis for breaking your lease. However, if there are special circumstances, you may file a complaint with our office and we will mediate to see if we can assist you.
 
To submit a complaint on our website, use the Landlord/Tenant Complaint Form. You can also download a paper complaint form, including instructions for filing, here. Alternatively, you may send a letter describing your complaint, along with copies of relevant documentation to: Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. Instead of mailing, you may fax this information to 410-576-7040. We are unable to accept complaints by email.

6.  I paid for a trip in advance and now am unable to go. My travel agency is refusing to give me a refund. Can they do that?

First, examine the terms of your travel agreement to see if it includes any language about what your responsibility is in a situation like this. If it doesn't say anything and you're not able to resolve the matter with the agency, you can file a complaint with our Consumer Protection Division; we may be able to mediate with the travel agency on your behalf.

To submit a complaint on our website, you can use the General Complaint Form. You can also download a paper complaint form, including instructions for filing, here. Alternatively, you may send a letter describing your complaint, along with copies of relevant documentation to: Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. Instead of mailing, you may fax this information to 410-576-7040. We are unable to accept complaints by email.

7.  My health insurance is refusing to cover services that I think they should. What can I do?

You can file a complaint with our Health Education and Advocacy Unit. They will investigate your complaint and may be able to mediate your coverage dispute with your HMO or health insurance company.

8.  I was charged a fee for COVID testing. What can I do?

In most cases you should not have to pay out-of-pocket for diagnostic COVID testing. But neither federal nor state law requires coverage of COVID-19 testing for public health surveillance or employment purposes. You should contact your health plan prior to receiving a COVID-19 test to determine whether testing is covered by your plan in your particular circumstance, and where you should go for a test. Maryland Medicaid will cover the costs of COVID-19 testing for its beneficiaries.

You can file a complaint with our Health Education and Advocacy Unit if you are billed. They will investigate your complaint and may be able to mediate your billing or coverage dispute. 

9.  I was charged a fee for a COVID vaccine. W​​hat can I do?​​

You should not have to pay out-of-pocket for a COVID vaccine. Providers can bill your health plan for the cost of the administration, and, if you are uninsured, the provider may seek payment from the federal Provider Relief Fund administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).  

You can file a complaint with our Health Education and Advocacy Unit if you are billed. They will investigate your complaint and may be able to mediate your billing or coverage dispute.  

​Back to Top​