Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection

09/03/2026

Our birthday is coming up this Sunday, Sept. 6! Take a trip down memory lane and learn why Montgomery County was a revolutionary community from the very beginning.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/montgomery-250-timeline

09/03/2026

Join OCP Investigator Michelle Escobar and Hispanic Community Liaison Mariela Leon from the Montgomery County Police Department for an enlightening conversation about avoiding scams, detecting warning signs, and knowing where to receive assistance.

08/28/2026

A new Consumer Connection episode has arrived! This time, Toni White, Director of Outreach and Education from the Maryland Department of Labor's Office of Financial Regulation, joins us to discuss important information about Maryland’s student loan process. Her insights cover an array of topics, including understanding Maryland's borrower protections, detecting student loan scams, navigating new loan repayment options, the end of the SAVE plan, and more.

Listen or watch this episode below!

📷: https://ow.ly/2Z6O50ZGzTY
🎧: https://ow.ly/KT4h50ZGzTZ

08/27/2026

During part 2 of our Community Voices & County Partners series on the Consumer Connection podcast, Mario Wawrzusin from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) shared important risk factors that would make vulnerable adults more susceptible to being scammed. Listen or watch the full episode!

🎧 https://ow.ly/IbAU50ZG2GG
📷 https://ow.ly/o9F850ZG2GH

08/20/2026

Recently, we joined Edu Futuro's television series, Línea Directa, to share valuable information about scam prevention strategies, warning signs, and how we support Montgomery County residents. Thank you for having us!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/18/2026

Did you know that Montgomery County has cryptocurrency ATMs? These machines allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies easily. However, be cautious, as many scammers direct victims to use these ATMs to send money for goods or services that they will never receive. Remember that legitimate businesses and government agencies don’t take payment through crypto ATMs.
Always double-check any transaction and ensure it's legitimate before proceeding!

Have questions? Connect with us.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/office.../contact-us

08/14/2026

August 14th is National Financial Awareness Day - A good reminder to check in on the security of your money and accounts.

Take a few minutes to:
✔ Review recent bank and credit card transactions.
✔ Turn on alerts for purchases, withdrawals, and password changes.
✔ Check for subscriptions or recurring charges you no longer use.
✔ Use unique passwords and multifactor authentication.
✔ Review your credit reports for accounts you do not recognize.
Remember: a bank or government agency will not instruct you to move your money to a “safe” account. That’s a scam.

08/06/2026

07/31/2026

Toll-payment scams tend to appear more often during the summer months, especially as travel increases, often arriving through unexpected text messages demanding payment.

Watch out for:
🚩 Unexpected toll-payment texts claiming you missed a toll or owe a fee

🚩 Urgent demands or threats, including warnings of additional charges

🚩 Suspicious links urging you to verify your account or pay immediately

🚩 Requests for personal or financial information

If you receive a suspicious toll message, avoid clicking any links and check your account directly through the official toll website.

For questions or assistance, contact OCP.

07/27/2026

A new Consumer Connection episode is here! This time, we are joined by OCP Investigator Lee Glass, who shares key information about OCP’s complaint-filing process. He walks us through the types of issues he commonly handles, why documentation is essential, and how consumers can build stronger complaints. Lee also discusses the scam patterns he encounters, the red flags he wants residents to recognize, and guidance on when to contact OCP for help.

Listen or watch this episode and previous ones!

🎧:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2385106/episodes/19503122
📷: https://youtu.be/I1WD3mwWxFg?si=HUwTomJA38IAleGw