The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Merchant Complaint Disclosure Reports are based on complaints filed with OCP over the last three (3) years. The total number of complaints includes both closed and pending complaints. A pending complaint means the complaint is currently under investigation by OCP. A closed complaint means that the complaint is not currently under investigation and OCP has closed the complaint file.   

Please note that, except for the complaints coded “Legal Action,” the fact that a complaint is reported against a merchant does not mean that OCP has made a determination as to the truth of the allegations.  By the same token, the fact that we have few or no complaints against a merchant should not, standing alone, be taken as an indication that the merchant is honest and reputable.  A merchant’s complaint history is just one indication of a merchant’s reliability. 

There are limitations to the complaint data. Complaint totals for merchants can be affected by business volume, location, or the nature of the business.  Some complaints may be unjustified or minor in nature.  OCP does not take complaints on merchants that are exempt from coverage under the Montgomery County Consumer Protection Act.  Click here to see types of merchants exempt from coverage.

OCP uses the following codes when closing a complaint: