Looking for a Way to Resolve a Dispute?

Government Agencies that Can Help

There are a number of government agencies that can assist you with a complaint that you have. Some have their own mediation processes. These agencies resolve thousands of complaints each year, without using the courts. It is worthwhile to try these first before court.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Consumer Response Center
6th and Pennsylvania, NW
Washington, DC 20580

(877) 382-4357 (toll free)

 

The FTC is a federal agency responsible for "preventing Fraud deception and unfair business practices." You can file a complaint about companies, credit reporting agencies, organizations and media violence, internet scams, telemarketing complaints, identity theft, or any fraud or misrepresentation about products for sale. The FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection does not resolve individual consumer problems, but it compiles a list of complaints to be used to investigate fraud and can lead to law enforcement action. To report a credit card crime, you can call the Bureau of Credit Practices 202-326-3224.

• Publications- The FTC also offers a number of publications for consumers. Go to www.ftc.gov and click on the tab that says "Consumer Protection." Topics include: Automobiles, computers and the internet, credit and loans, diet/health/fitness, education and scholarships, energy, ID theft, investments, shopping for products/services, and telemarketing.

File an FTC complaint

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 528-8662

If you are a Maryland consumer or if you have done business with a company, organization or individual in the state of Maryland you can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division. Mediation is offered to work with you and the business in an effort to reach a mutually agreed-upon resolution to the dispute. You can report complaints about medical billing, health care, new car warranties, auto repair, new home construction, landlord tenant disputes and other business transactions.

Consumer Complaint Form

Maryland Automobiles Dealers Association
100 Cathedral Street, Suite 9

Annapolis, MD 21401
Tel: (410) 269-1710 (Baltimore Area)

Tel: (301) 261-1717 (DC Area)

(800) 526-7423 Toll Free

The Maryland Automobiles Dealers Association is a statewide non-profit trade association of new car and truck dealers for the purpose of: "facilitating the exchange of ideas among its members; to encourage sound business policies; to foster constructive motor vehicle legislation; to discourage destructive motor vehicle legislation, and to promote confidence, respect and good fellowship among all who are directly or indirectly engaged in the motor vehicle industry." If you have a complaint about a member of this association, contact Travis Martz at the Baltimore Office, who will then walk you through the process of filing a complaint.

United States Postal Service (USPS) Inspector

Criminal Investigations Service Center
Attn: Mail Fraud
10500 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Ste. 200
Columbia, MD 21044-3509
Tel: (877) 876-2455

U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate crimes, (such as chain letters, free vacation scams or missing persons scams) which use U.S. mail. Postal Inspectors may take action against violators, but they cannot ensure you receive a refund for money lost.

File a complaint with the USPS

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
United States Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20590

Tel: (888) 368-7238
 

The  primary mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The FMCSA receives complaints about motor carrier drivers and employers, household goods moving companies, brokers or carriers.

File a complaint with the FMCSA.

Maryland State Dental Association

6410F Dobbin Road

Columbia, MD 21045    

Tel: (410) 964-2880     
 

The Maryland State Dental Association represents and supports the dental profession in its efforts to provide high quality, ethical, oral health care to the public and is the professional association for dentists in the state of Maryland. The MSDA assists with finding a dentist/dental plan in your area as well as filing a complaint about a dentist your area. You may file a complaint in person regarding any alleged violations of the MSDA's policy.

Community Relations Commission
10 N. Calvert Street
Suite 915
Baltimore, MD 21202

Tel: (410) 396-3141

The CRC receives and investigates complaints of alleged discrimination. You may file a complaint in person regarding unlawful discrimination in Employment, Public Accommodation, Housing Education, Health and Welfare Services.

Maryland Board of Physicians (MBP)
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Tel: (410) 764-4777
TYY: (800) 735-2258
 

If you have a complaint about any health provider licensed by the state of Maryland you may submit a complaint for yourself or on behalf of a patient with the MBP. Your complaint may be related to health care services provided by a: Physician, Physician’s Assistant, Psychiatrist, Psychiatrist’s Assistant, Medical Radiation Technologist, Nuclear Medical Care Practitioner, or a Respiratory Technologist.

File a Complaint with the MBP

Board of Dental Examiners
Spring Grove State Hospital
Benjamin Rush Bldg.
55 Wade Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21228
Tel: (410) 402-8500
(877) 463-3464 Toll Free

The Board of Dental Examiners updates and informs consumers of regulations concerning dental hygiene. Consumers who wish to file a complaint against a dental professional  (for concerns of sedation practices, dispensing of prescription drugs, unlawful sexual misconduct by a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental radiation technologist, dental licenses, unsanitary workplaces, unpleasant behavior etc.) may contact the Board of Dental Examiners Office or file a complaint form on-line.

Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)
2310 Broening Highway
Suite 150
Baltimore, MD 21224
Tel: (866) 713-1596

This agency is responsible for the safety conditions of the state's highways, gas regulation and public transportation. Contact the MDTA for complaints about toll booths, E-Z Pass or propane regulations or to report suspicious or terrorist activity.

Maryland Insurance Administration
525 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2272
Tel: (410) 468-2000
(800) 492-6116 Toll Free
TYY: (800) 735-2258

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is an independent State agency that regulates Maryland's insurance industry and protects consumers by ensuring that insurance companies and health plans act in accordance with insurance laws. The MIA can assist you with your insurance inquiry or complaint about health, life, property and casualty insurance.

The MIA also established a Rapid Response Program designed to help certain consumers resolve property and casualty claims (such as auto and homeowners claims including those made under commercial lines policies) quickly and without having to file a formal written complaint. For more information about this program, please contact us at (410) 468-2340 or 1-800-492-6116 ext. 2340. Participation in the Rapid Response Program is voluntary and does not affect your rights to file a formal complaint.

File a complaint regarding insurance

Nationally Chartered Credit Unions
Region II - Capital
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3437
Tel: (703) 519-4600
 

The National Credit Union Administration regulates federal credit unions and insures the vast majority of all credit unions in the United States. While NCUA does not arbitrate member complaints, they following may be able to help with a complaint concerning a federal credit union, a federal savings and loan (S&L) or a federally-chartered savings bank (F.S.B.), a national bank (a bank with a name containing the word "national" or the initials "N.A."), or a credit reporting agency or lender other than a credit union, bank or savings and loan

Complaints about a financial institution

State-Chartered Credit Unions
Maryland Division of Financial Regulation
500 North Calvert St., Rm. 402
Baltimore, MD 21202-3651
Tel: (410) 230-6100

The Maryland State Division of Financial Regulation is responsible for supervising the activities of financial businesses to ensure compliance with the financial institution laws and regulations of Maryland and provides assistance to consumers by investigating complaints of questionable business practices involving the financial institutions under its supervision.

File a complaint on-line.

Agriculture, MD Dept of
50 Harry S. Truman Pkwy
Annapolis, MD 21401
Tel: (410) 841-5700
 

Pest control companies are licensed through the Pesticide Applicator's Section (410) 841-5710. To file a complaint against a firewood dealer contact the Weights & Measures Division at (410) 841-5790.

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)- Auto Safety Hotline
400 7th Southwest
Washington, DC 20590
Tel: (888) 327-4236
 

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration maintains a complaint database to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists in a motor vehicle or an item of motor vehicle equipment. If a safety defect exists the manufacturer must fix it for free. The NHTSA lists information about and receives complaints regarding safety problems in: motor vehicles, tires and automotive equipment such as child safety seats, recalls.
 

File a complaint with the NHTSA

Maryland Office of Financial Regulation- Banking Commission
500 N. Calvert Street Suite 402
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 230-6100
 

The MD Office of Financial Regulation's Banking Commission advises the Commissioner of Financial Regulation on any matter concerning the business of any State banking institution. The Maryland Banking Commission can assist you with complaints regarding State banking instructions and mortgage lenders. Contact the Division of Financial Regulation between 8:30 a.m. -5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Maryland Comptroller Of The Treasury
110 Carroll St.
Annapolis, MD 21411
Tel: (410) 260-7980
 

The MD Comptroller of the Treasury Office allows consumers to file complaints regarding employers not withholding taxes on paychecks or about wages. To file a complaint, you must file in person.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
10 South Howard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Tel: (410) 962-3932
 

This government agency enforces anti-discrimination laws and reviews complaints of employment discrimination.

Any individual who believes that his or her employment rights have been violated may file a charge of discrimination with EEOC. In addition, an individual, organization, or agency may file a charge on behalf of another person in order to protect the aggrieved person's identity.  Discrimination types include: age, disability, equal pay, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, retaliation, sex and sexual harassment.

File an EEOC charge.

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
900 Madison Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 962-3731
 

The Food & Drug Administration can be contacted for information regarding reports or complaints related to food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices (i.e. hearing aids), veterinary products or products sold online.

File a claim with the FDA

Health Education and Advocacy Unit
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 528-1840

The Health Education and Advocacy Unit is a division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. It helps consumers resolve billing disputes with hospitals, doctors, insurance companies and other health care providers and also helps negotiate funds for medical equipment that is defective.

File a complaint