Section 13-301 – Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices Defined
Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices include any: (1) False, falsely disparaging, or misleading oral or written statement, visual description, or other representation of any kind which has the capacity, tendency, or effect of deceiving or misleading consumers; (2) Representation that: (i) Consumer goods, consumer realty, or consumer services have a sponsorship, approval, accessory, characteristic, ingredient, use, benefit, […]
Section 13-302 – Deception or Damage Unnecessary
Any practice prohibited by this title is a violation of this title, whether or not any consumer in fact has been misled, deceived, or damaged as a result of that practice.
Section 13-303 – Practices Generally Prohibited
A person may not engage in any unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice, as defined in this subtitle or as further defined by the Division, in: (1) The sale, lease, rental, loan, or bailment of any consumer goods, consumer realty, or consumer services; (2) The offer for sale, lease, rental, loan, or bailment of consumer goods, consumer […]
Section 13-304 – Referral Sales
A seller may not use any general referral sales technique, plan, arrangement, or agreement by which a buyer is induced to purchase merchandise, real property, or intangibles on the representation or promise of the seller that if the buyer furnishes to the seller the names of other prospective buyers of like or identical merchandise, real […]
Section 13-305 – Prizes Conditioned on Purchases or Sales Promotion
(a) This section does not apply to: (1) Trading stamps, as defined by § 13–101 of the Business Regulation Article; (2) State lottery tickets issued under the authority of Title 9, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article; (3) Retail promotions, not involving the offer of gifts and prizes, which offer savings on consumer goods or services including “one–cent […]
Section 13-101.1 – Applicability of Title to Consumer Contracts
The provisions of this title apply to the subject matter of a consumer contract as defined in § 22-102 of this article in the same manner they apply to consumer goods and consumer services.
Section 13-102 – Declaration of Findings and Purpose
(a) (1) The General Assembly of Maryland finds that consumer protection is one of the major issues which confront all levels of government, and that there has been mounting concern over the increase of deceptive practices in connection with sales of merchandise, real property, and services and the extension of credit. (2) The General Assembly recognizes that there […]
Section 13-103 – Legislative Intent; Local Provisions; Enforcement
(a) This title is intended to provide minimum standards for the protection of consumers in the State. (b) A county, Baltimore City, municipality, or agency of either may adopt, within the scope of its authority, more stringent provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this title. (c) The provisions of this title shall be enforced by each agency […]
Section 13-104 – Exemptions
This title does not apply to: (1) The professional services of a certified public accountant, architect, clergyman, professional engineer, lawyer, veterinarian, insurance company authorized to do business in the State, insurance producer licensed by the State, Christian Science practitioner, land surveyor, property line surveyor, chiropractor, optometrist, physical therapist, podiatrist, real estate broker, associate real estate broker, […]