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…
With consumer law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a beacon of hope/protection for individuals facing debt collection harassment. Enforced at both federal and state levels, this act delineates stringent regulations to shield consumers from unlawful actions by debt collectors. Fortunately, these laws extend to Maryland, where state statutes overlap with federal provisions,…
In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common violations borrowers can encounter regarding their right to cure, such as failure to provide notice, premature repossession, inaccurate cure amount, and even cases where the wrong car was repossessed. Right to Cure Violations: Protecting Borrowers from Repossession The right to cure is legal protection for borrowers facing…
The use of “electronic disabling devices for repossession” by automobile sellers and repossessors has become a growing concern for consumers and legal professionals alike. These devices, designed to prevent a vehicle from starting after a missed payment or if stolen, have been criticized for their potential to leave people stranded, breach contracts, and infringe on…