Debt buyers are companies that purchase delinquent debts from original creditors (and often from each other) for a fraction of the total amount owed – pennies on the dollar. They then attempt to collect the full balance, often employing aggressive tactics and filing lawsuits to maximize profits. Unlike the original creditor, these companies typically have…
Debt buyers thrive on purchasing old debts for pennies on the dollar and aggressively pursuing collection. If you’ve been/being sued for more than $10,000 by one of these companies, you may be wondering: Is this legal? Are they violating my rights? The truth is many debt buyers engage in practices that cross the line into…
As solar energy adoption rises, so do solar scams within the industry. Unfortunately, some homeowners discover their names appear on solar leases or installation contracts they never signed. Forged documents and deceptive sales tactics have led to financial burdens and legal disputes for unsuspecting consumers. If you suspect a solar contract has been fraudulently created…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released comprehensive and alarming data on fraud and identity theft in the U.S. for 2023. According to the report, more than 1 million identity theft cases were logged, and between fraud and identity theft, there were over $10 billion in losses. These figures shed light on the growing identity theft…
In 2024, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office issued a stark warning about a rise in door-to-door scams, particularly involving fraudulent water filtration system sales. These scams target unsuspecting homeowners by leveraging fear tactics, claiming that the safety of their household’s water supply is at risk. Scammers can pressure homeowners into costly and unnecessary purchases by…
Election years often bring a wave of political outreach, including robocalls and robotexts from campaigns. While many of these are legitimate, they also provide a prime opportunity for scammers to exploit unsuspecting voters. Scammers exploit the influx of political messages to steal personal information, commit fraud, or even steal money. In this article, we’ll explore…
On April 6, 2024, the Maryland Kids Code Coalition welcomed the unanimous votes in both the House and Senate for the final passage of the Maryland Kids Code (HB 603/SB 571), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at safeguarding children and their data online. Spearheaded by delegates Jared Solomon and C.T. Wilson, along with Senators Ben Kramer…
Telemarketing scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with scammers impersonating IRS personnel, police officers, Medicare representatives, and even family members. As these fraudsters evolve their tactics, it’s important to understand how these scams work and what you can do to protect yourself. In this article, we will explore the most common forms of telemarketing fraud, including…
Synthetic identity theft is an immediate and evolving threat to financial security. What is Synthetic Identity Fraud? Synthetic identity theft is a form of financial fraud where a criminal combines stolen real personal information, such as a Social Security number (SSN), with fabricated details to create a new, fake identity. Unlike traditional identity theft, which…
Over the past four years, Maryland has seen a significant rise in data breaches. The number of notices received by the Attorney General’s office increased from 50-100 per month before 2020 to 120-180 per month, representing a 41% to 55% increase. Maryland news outlet The Daily Record asked Peter Holland to comment on the increase…