Banks, credit bureaus, and other large corporate actors often balk at six-figure and seven-figure settlement demands. After all, they say, what is the value of invasion of privacy and emotional distress, and how do you quantify it? Most litigants rely on traditional methods such as reviewing jury verdicts settlements in that venue, analogous claims, reputation…
Each fall, Medicare’s open enrollment period begins, and scammers go to work. They call, text, and send official-looking mailers, all promising to “help you update your coverage” or “secure your new Medicare card.” Behind the polite tone and false urgency lies a more serious crime: identity theft. Medicare scams are designed to harvest personal information…
Credit card balances, medical bills, student loans, and old judgments can accumulate. According to Federal Reserve data, credit card balances remain the most widely held form of family debt, and defaults are rising. On top of that, many banks, debt-buyers, and collection agencies operate on assumptions that you won’t defend yourself. As we noted before,…
In the spring of 2025, the FBI issued a nationwide warning: medical insurance scams are costing victims millions of dollars each year. Fraudsters are luring consumers with promises of cheap medical coverage, but the “plans” they sell either don’t exist or won’t cover what they claim. Victims end up paying thousands out of pocket while…
Across Maryland and nationwide, complaints about solar company scams are on the rise. These scams range from misleading pitches to contracts filled with hidden terms to outright forgery and other forms of solar fraud. Homeowners may be swindled out of tens of thousands of dollars and left with a leaking roof. When this happens, a…
When most people think of identity theft, they picture stolen credit cards, hacked bank accounts, or someone vacationing on their identity overseas. But one of the fastest-growing and most devastating forms of fraud involves medical debt and identity theft happening in tandem; two issues that often collide in ways that leave consumers in a bad…
When a debt collector comes calling, fear and confusion follow. Many consumers believe they have no choice but to pay whatever is demanded, even when the debt might not be accurate, enforceable, or legally collectible. The truth is, debt collection defense is full of myths that work in favor of collectors and against everyday people….
In a recent unpublished but instructive decision, the Fourth Circuit in Roper v. Oliphant Financial, LLC, No. 24-1933 (4th Cir. July 23, 2025), affirmed the District of Maryland’s denial of a debt buyer’s motion to compel arbitration. The case serves as a critical reminder for consumer protection lawyers litigating time-barred debt claims: initiating collection litigation…
In Maryland, landlord-tenant relationships are shaped by consumer protection laws. The laws safeguard renters’ rights to safe and livable housing. Here’s a recap of what protections tenants can expect as of the new legislation passed in July of 2025: The Maryland Tenant Mold Protection Act On July 1, 2025, the Maryland Tenant Mold Protection Act…
Credit card fraud can strike anyone, and when it does, you expect your bank to be your ally. But what happens when your bank refuses to help? That’s exactly what one Maryland consumer experienced, as documented in the 2024 Consumer Complaint Survey Report. There’s a growing need to protect everyday people from financial institutions that…