In 1971, Montgomery County adopted a County Council/County Executive form of government and created what is now the country’s older consumer protection office. Fifty years later, the Montgomery County Office Consumer Protection (OCP) is commemorating its half a century of service and inviting the public to join the celebration.
The office’s 50th-anniversary celebration will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, in the Council Office Building’s first-floor auditorium in Rockville. Admission is free.
“In so many areas of the country, there have been few consumer protection agencies that actively seek to resolve issues and make sure they do not happen again,” said OCP director Eric Friedman in a statement. “Each case in which we are successful serves as a deterrent to other businesses to upgrade their practices. We have a long record of helping residents and we will be there for the next challenges.”
OCP lists many accomplishments over its five decades of service including establishing a child passenger safety seat program and assisting in revisions to Montgomery County’s and Maryland’s towing law to resolve predatory towing in the county. They also include enacting and administering a mandatory warranty for new homes in the county and successful lawsuits and legal actions against businesses violating Montgomery County’s consumer protection laws.
More recently, the OCP has used Facebook and Twitter to warn consumers in the county about potential scams and warnings for shoppers. Additionally, they hosts virtual webinars, including one focusing on common scams during the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 10.
Office of Consumer Protection 50th Anniversary Celebration
December 6, 2021, 1:30 pm
Council Office Building Auditorium
Registration: https://t.co/XMhxHfA8FS pic.twitter.com/ABenZamRwJ— Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (@ConsumerWise) November 29, 2021
