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Phishing Scams

Phishing is a term that means getting your personal information by deception and using the information to steal your identity. A common phishing scheme comes through your email, text message, or fake website and disguises itself as a bank or credit card that needs to update your personal information. No matter how legitimate the message looks, never send personal information over the internet unless you initiate the contact. Your bank or credit card company will never need to verify your information - they already have it! If you think the message looks legitimate, call the number on the back of your card and confirm it is really from YOUR bank.

Advance Fee Loan Scams

This scam preys on people who need money the most and have a hard time obtaining credit by traditional means. When you're in a financial pinch, this sounds like a good way to get some quick, short-term money that you can make up later.

Here's how it works, you get a phone call, email or go to a website. The lender offers a loan to help you with your cash flow crunch, but first asks that you send them (usually by wire transfer or reloadable card) a loan processing fee, which could be hundreds or thousands of dollars. Like any wire transfer, it is like sending cash, you'll never see the money and you'll definitely never see the "loan" to help you meet your financial obligations. Don't fall for it.

In a legitimate loan scenario, the fees are paid after the loan has been approved, not before. We advise consumers to do their homework and make sure the lender you're dealing with is legitimate and licensed to help consumers in Maine so you have the necessary consumer protections if something goes wrong with your loan.

Government Grant Scams

Someone calls you on the phone indicating that they are from the government and that the government wants to give you a government grant. They just need your bank account numbers to deposit the check. Don't be fooled. The government doesnt call people to give money away. Recently, many Mainers have encountered this scam via Facebook messenger, where someone they "know" has heard of this grant and wants to share their good fortune with you. Often, the person you know is a spoofed profile of your friend and actually a scammer.

Work from Home Scams

You've probably seen ads promising you can make hundreds or thousands of dollars a week working from home. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? It is. This is a scam that has been around for ages where "opportunities" are advertised as envelope stuffing, direct mailing, processing medical bills, small item assembly work, etc. The ads usually suggest that you send a certain small amount, maybe $29.95, to learn more about the "opportunity", to receive the start-up kit or leads. The ads leave out that there are hidden costs or many hours of work with no pay. These scams move around often so that law enforcement can't track them down. You'll have better luck asking around town and checking with a local employment office for ideas for a job to ensure you get a paycheck.

Online Dating Scams

More relationships are starting online, and scammers are taking advantage of this new medium to make money. The Attorney General's Office urges you to use extreme caution when meeting people online. Criminals make bogus profiles to con people they meet out of hundreds or thousands of dollars. They do this by quickly gaining your trust and tug on your emotions and exploit that trust. Victims are left embarrassed and in financial distress.

But how do you know whether it is a fake profile? There may be inconsistencies in the profile or be suspiciously vague. Perhaps they're working overseas and can't meet in person - the biggest red flag of all.

The criminal gains your trust by exchanging basic information and quickly ask you to switch to a different medium like instant messaging, email or text. A scammer will quickly express their love, have uncanny similarities to you and claim the match was meant to be. There are many online dating success stories. But if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

NEVER send money to someone you've never met.

Do not share sensitive personal or financial information with someone you haven't met in person.

Stay on the dating site - going off the site makes it harder for law enforcement to track them down.

Use a dedicated email address for dating only. This will protect your privacy.

Be wary of coincidental similarities and inconsistencies in an individual's story. If things don't sound right, ask for details, or ask a family member or friend for their perspective. Romance scammers know that emotions can easily skew judgment and count on affection and attention to thwart your judgment.

Wiring money is like sending cash, don't do it.

Report suspicious profiles to the dating website.

Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams

You receive a letter in the mail, email, or phone call indicating you've won thousands of dollars in a lottery or sweepstakes. Finally, you think, all of your problems are solved! Unfortunately, they soon ask you to send money to them to cover fees, taxes, legal processing, or some other made up hoop to get you to send them more money. Think about it - if you've really won $1.2 million dollars and a brand new Mercedes, can't they just take these "fees" off the top and send you the rest? While the cons always have an answer, you'll never see any money. Don't fall for this too good to be true scam.

Other scams come from businesses you've heard of and give the impression if you buy more of their product, you'll have more chances at winning the big prize. Have you ever met anyone who has won the big prize? We haven't either. It's a scam. Save your money where there are better odds - at the bingo hall.

Fake Check Scams

Fake check scams typically begin when you're sent a check that looks real, but is actually fake. You're told to deposit the "check" and send a portion of the money back to the scam artist or a third person - usually by wire transfer or a reloadable card. After you send the money you soon find out the cashed check was fake and you just sent money to a stranger and the bank is draining all of your accounts to get their money back. Do not fall for this one!

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime which generally results in fraud. If you believe you have become a victim of identity theft, you must act immediately to minimize the damage and to secure your legal rights. Fighting identity theft can be frustrating and time-consuming, but resources exist to help you.

Contact any of the three consumer reporting companies below.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Contacting one of the three companies above automatically alerts the other two companies which will also place an alert in their records.

When you call, an initial fraud alert (90 days) will be placed on your credit report and a free copy of your credit report will be sent to you. The fraud alert prevents any new accounts from being opened in your name without your permission. After the initial fraud alert has expired, if you have filed a police report, you can request an extended fraud alert (7 years.) To obtain an extended fraud alert, you must provide the credit reporting companies with a copy of your initial police report and any other fraud reports they may require.

As of February, 2006, Maine became one of several states to allow consumers to "freeze" their credit reports. With certain specific exceptions, a security freeze prohibits a credit reporting agency from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. The freeze goes into effect five (5) business days after the credit reporting agency has received your letter. After 10 business days from receiving your letter to place a freeze on your account, the credit reporting agencies will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep this PIN or password in a safe place. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number probably would not be able to obtain credit in your name. A security freeze is free to identity theft victims who have a police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.

To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Download a sample letter requesting a security freeze (MS Word). Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee, unless you are a victim who sends a copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.
Report the crime immediately to local law enforcement. Make sure a written report is taken and that you receive a copy of the police report so that you can give copies to creditors. If local law enforcement will not give you a copy of your report, contact the Attorney General at 626-8800.
Contact any creditors or financial institutions if you believe your accounts have been tampered with or if fraudulent accounts have been opened. Close the accounts and ask for a fraud investigation. If you contact them initially by phone, make sure that you confirm your conversation in writing. Download a sample letter you can use to dispute a fraudulent account or charge (MS Word). Some companies have forms you can use to dispute the charges due to fraud but in most cases, the dispute must take place within sixty days of the initial fraud. When speaking with creditors or financial institutions, you have the right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to receive copies of transaction records. These companies are required by law to send you any documents they have within 30 days. They may require an identity theft affidavit and a police report from you. You can then use a copy of the creditor's transaction record to provide evidence that can identify the thief to your local police.

Under the FCRA, both the consumer reporting company and the information provider (the business that sent the information to the consumer reporting company), such as a bank or credit card company, are responsible for correcting fraudulent information in your report. To protect your rights under the law, contact both the consumer reporting company and the information provider.
Steps to take if the identity theft has resulted in a fraudulent electronic withdrawal from your account:

The Electronic Fund Transfer Act provides consumer protections for transactions involving an ATM or debit card, or another electronic way to debit or credit an account. It also limits your liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers.
You have 60 days from the date your bank account statement is sent to you to report in writing any money withdrawn from your account without your permission. This includes instances when your ATM or debit card is "skimmed" that is, when a thief captures your account number and PIN without your card having been lost or stolen.
If your ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, report it immediately because the amount you can be held responsible for depends on how quickly you report the loss.
If you report the loss or theft within two business days of discovery, your losses are limited to $50.
If you report the loss or theft after two business days, but within 60 days after the unauthorized electronic fund transfer appears on your statement, you could lose up to $500 of what the thief withdraws.
If you wait more than 60 days to report the loss or theft, you could lose all the money that was taken from your account after the end of the 60 days.
Note: VISA and MasterCard voluntarily have agreed to limit consumers' liability for unauthorized use of their debit cards in most instances to $50 per card, no matter how much time has elapsed since the discovery of the loss or theft of the card.

The best way to protect yourself in the event of an error or fraudulent transaction is to call the financial institution and follow up in writing by certified letter, return receipt requested so you can prove when the institution received your letter. Keep a copy of the letter you send for your records.

After receiving your notification about an error on your statement, the institution generally has 10 business days to investigate. The institution must tell you the results of its investigation within three business days after completing it and must correct an error within one business day after determining that it occurred. If the institution needs more time, it may take up to 45 days to complete the investigation but only if the money in dispute is returned to your account and you are notified promptly of the credit. At the end of the investigation, if no error has been found, the institution may take the money back if it sends you a written explanation.

Steps to take if the identity theft has occurred due to fraudulent checks and other "paper" transactions:

In general, if an identity thief steals your checks or counterfeits checks from your existing bank account, you must notify the bank to stop payment, close the account, and ask your bank to notify Chex Systems, Inc. or the check verification service with which it does business. That way, retailers can be notified not to accept these checks. While no federal law limits your losses if someone uses your checks with a forged signature, or uses another type of "paper" transaction such as a demand draft, state laws may protect you. Most states hold the bank responsible for losses from such transactions. At the same time, most states require you to take reasonable care of your account. For example, you may be held responsible for the forgery if you fail to notify the bank in a timely manner that a check was lost or stolen. Contact your state banking or consumer protection agency for more information.

You can contact major check verification companies directly for the following services:

To request that they notify retailers who use their databases not to accept your checks, call:
TeleCheck at 1-800-710-9898 or 1-800-927-0188
Certegy, Inc. (previously Equifax Check Systems) at 1-800-437-5120
To find out if the identity thief has been passing bad checks in your name, call SCAN: 1-800-262-7771
If your checks are rejected by a merchant, it may be because an identity thief is using the Magnetic Information Character Recognition (MICR) code (the numbers at the bottom of checks), your driver's license number, or another identification number. The merchant who rejects your check should give you its check verification company contact information so you can find out what type of information the thief is using.
If you find that the thief is using your MICR code, ask your bank to close your checking account, and open a new one. If you discover that the thief is using your driver's license number or some other identification number, work with your Bureau of Motor Vehicles or other identification issuing agency to get new identification with new numbers. Once you have taken the appropriate steps, your checks should be accepted. The check verification company may or may not remove the information about the MICR code or the driver's license/identification number from its database because this information may help prevent the thief from continuing to commit fraud. If the checks are being passed on a new account, contact the bank to close the account. Also contact Chex Systems, Inc., to review your consumer report to make sure that no other bank accounts have been opened in your name. Dispute any bad checks passed in your name with merchants so they don't start any collections actions against you.

https://www.consumer.gov/search/site/identity

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For a sample Identity Theft Affidavit you can use, visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

Contact the 3 credit reporting agencies using the form they provide to correct errors and place a block on the accounts in question. The Fair Credit Reporting Act mandates that they must remove the information unless the credit issuer can prove that it is true. The credit reporting agencies must also change any information provided by the thief including addresses, phone numbers or birthdates. Download a sample letter requesting a block on the accounts (RTF).

Insist on Clearance letters from the creditors and/or credit reporting bureaus and keep them in your records for 10 years.

Carefully check all credit reports to monitor the corrections.

Resources:

Maine Attorney General Consumer Protection Division - 207-626-8849, or visit consumer.mediation@maine.gov

Maine Office of Consumer Credit Regulation - (207) 624-8527
Toll Free consumer line (Maine only) 1-800-332-8529, 35 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0035

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles - (To report stolen driver's license.) Call 207-624-9000 extension 52144, write to 29 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 or visit the website at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/

Federal Do Not Call Registry: You can register online at www.donotcall.gov or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register.

Federal Trade Commission Hotline (1-877-ID-THEFT).

Tax Fraud - IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service www.irs.gov/advocate/ or call toll-free: 1-877-777-4778

Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General - You may file a complaint online at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig, call toll-free: 1-800-269-0271, fax: 410-597-0118, or write: SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235.

Phone Fraud:

For non-cellular phones, call the Maine Public Utilities Commission Consumer Assistance Hotline at 1-800-452-4699.

For cellular phones and long distance, contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at www.fcc.gov. The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Call: 1-888-CALL-FCC; TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC; or write: Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 5A863, Washington, DC 20554. You can file complaints online at www.fcc.gov, or e-mail your questions to fccinfo@fcc.gov.

Mail Theft - The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service and investigates cases of identity theft. The USPIS has primary jurisdiction in all matters infringing on the integrity of the U.S. mail. If an identity thief has stolen your mail to get new credit cards, bank or credit card statements, pre-screened credit offers, or tax information, or has falsified change-of-address forms or obtained your personal information through a fraud conducted by mail, report it by calling the U. S. Postal Inspector at 207-871-8587 or by writing: U. S. Postal Inspector, State of Maine, 125 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04104

Suspicious Medicare Mailing

Individuals are receiving mailings regarding Medicare Insurance plans that have no official affiliation with the Medicare Program.

All Medicare approved mailings will state on the document that they are Medicare approved. These unapproved mailings are a concern because they can be confusing, are often misleading and request information that can be used to steal a person's identity.

A recent document that was mailed had no identifying marks about the company or organization that sent it. This is a red flag. Consumers should be on the lookout for a mailing with the heading "Medicare Changes in 2007". The mailing encourages the beneficiary to return to the sender an attachment in order to recieve information about options for saving money. Again, this mailing is not Medicare approved. Medicare beneficiaries need to be aware of these mailings as the information may be unreliable or inaccurate.

Loan Scammers Using Fictitious Maine Addresses

If you have been approached by a supposed loan company that can guarantee you a loan regardless of your credit history, be very skeptical. It will ask you to send money and the result will be that you receive nothing in return. This is called an "Advance Fee Loan Fraud." Before doing any business with a loan company, make certain that it has been licensed by the Maine Office of Consumer Credit Regulation (1-800-332-8529).

Lately, some Canadian scammers have been using a new approach to Advanced Fee Loan Fraud. They advertise their company and give it a fake Maine business address, in order to make it sound legitimate. But it is not. They almost always want you to wire the money to Canada, even though they are using fictitious Maine address.

Here are some names that scammers have used for loan companies that claim to be based in Maine but are not are: Advantage Capital, 48-Hour Loan Center, Delphia Solutions, Royal Advantage Group, 24-Hour Loan Service, East Point Lending Group, Woodsworth Financial, Capital Lending and Great Trust Solutions.

-N.C.

Rental Scams

This scam is usually seen on Craigslist or other websites. Recently, a Maine homeowner discovered his house, as well as photographs of the property, were listed for rent on Craigslist without his knowledge. The ad listed a Nigerian email address for responses and payment for the fictitious rental. One shopper was ready to rent the home by sending her money to Nigeria. Fortunately, the shopper contacted the Maine homeowner and discovered the scam before sending any funds to the scam artist. Other consumers haven't been so lucky only to arrive at their paid vacation home for the week or new apartment to find out that it isn't for rent at all.

Remember - never send money in response to an internet or rental offer without first confirming that the ad is legitimate or from a known and trusted business.

"Advance Fee" Credit Card Fraud

Contact: Maine Attorney General (207) 626-8599

Attorney General Janet T. Mills warns of a new "advance fee" credit card fraud that is targeting Maine residents. Southern Maine's PeoplesChoice Credit Union reports that scammers have been claiming to be from PeoplesChoice Saving and offering a credit card with a $2000 line of credit. In return the callers ask for payment of $200 and the victims bank account information so they can immediately withdraw the funds from the victims account. Brenda Piecuch, Compliance Manager and Information Security Officer for PeoplesChoice Credit Union, says that they have received 25 calls over the past three weeks from people who have been contacted by the scammers. PeoplesChoice Credit Union has nothing to do with this illegal offer. PeoplesChoice has branches in Biddeford, Wells, Saco and Sanford. Advance Fee Credit Card scams are fraudulent and prey on people who desperately need a line of credit.

Mills warns consumers never to give out bank account or other personal identifying information over the telephone or over the Internet without confirming the identity and address of the requestor. Verify. Verify. Verify, Mills said, and never send money to people you dont know. No legitimate bank doing business in Maine will ask you for money or account information over the phone or over the Internet.

-end-

Grandparent Scams

Someone calls claiming to be your grandchild. The scammer claims there has been a mishap and money is needed immediately. Perhaps they claim they are in jail and need bail money, but ask you not to tell their parents in fear of getting in more trouble. Keeping it a secret is always a red flag! Some grandparents have set aside their common sense to come to the rescue of a relative in need, but it is a sham. Never wire money or give out bank info based on a telephone call.

Avoid this scam by verifying the caller's identity and resisting pressure to act before the caller's identity is verified by calling a family member who could confirm the caller's story. Try contacting the real grandchild at a number you know is accurate.

Medicare Scams

Many Maine seniors have received phone calls claiming to be from Medicare or from the 'health office.' The callers ask for the Mainer by name and appear to be offering seniors some sort of supplemental health insurance or prescription coverage. Never give any personal information to anyone over the phone.

Consumers with questions about Medicare can get more information from the Medicare offices at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Card Services Scams

This scam usually begins with an automated phone call. A message will state that the call is coming from a company with a name like "card services", card holder services or credit card services. You'll be told that you can lower your interest rate. The caller then requests your credit card number, social security number or other personal information. Never give out your credit card, personal or bank account information based on an automated phone call. If you do, you're opening yourself up to become a victim of identity theft.

Caller ID Spoofing

Technology exists that criminals use to make any number appear on your caller ID. It's called spoofing. Sometimes the scammers use your own number. Always be on the alert that the person you think is calling could be just a way to get you to answer the phone.

Computer Fix Scams

These scams usually involve a phone call from someone claiming to work for Microsoft or another well-known company who indicate they've been looking at your computer and have noticed dangerous software popping up. Another version tries to persuade you that your computer has a serious tech problem that needs immediate repair. In both instances the fraudsters want you to give them remote access to your computer. By doing so you give them free reign to your personal information, ability to download malware and spyware onto your computer. To make matters worse they will probably lock your computer and ask for a ransom in order unlock it. If you get this call hang up. If you are contacted via pop up or email about these things, delete them. Never give someone you dont know access to your computer. If you're concerned about your computer's safety or running ability, take it to a local tech for assistance.

Tax Scams

Fake IRS agents - usually with a heavy foreign accent - may try to scare you into thinking you owe back taxes or there's a problem with your return and youll be arrested immediately if you dont pay them now. They also call pretending to be from the Department of the Treasury or another law enforcement agency with demands of a large payment due for back taxes or some other purported debt. If you disagree they typically become rude and belligerent. They will threaten you with immediate arrest, jail or other legal action to pressure you to pay them right away by providing them with your bank account information, or send them money via wire transfer or a reloadable card. These are all scams. Hang up the phone. If you think you owe money to the IRS, contact a number you know to be correct or through http://www.irs.gov .

UPDATE: Since the Indian government arrested hundreds in a call center bust in October 2016, Americans have noticed a substantial decrease in these calls. However, they are sure to ramp up again in the future considering this particular scam was very successful.

Reloadable Card Scams

Scammers want your money quickly. For years, they've conned people into sending them money via traditional wire transfer services like Money Gram and Western Union. But they're now requesting more easily accessible reloadable cards for payment. You can find these at almost any store - gas station, grocery store, pharmacy, etc. - they have a serial number that is used to transfer funds from the card. You put money on the card and can then use it to make payments to companies or transfer funds to another card. Reloadable cards are just like sending cash - once the money is downloaded on the other end, it's gone for good.

Think about it, legitimate businesses will not ask you to pay them with Amazon or iTunes gift cards. Instead, they will ask you to pay by Visa, MasterCard, etc. Anyone who tells you to the corner pharmacy to buy a reloadable card to pay a debt is trying to scam you, period.

Debt Relief Scams

Do Not Pay Up Front Fees for Debt Assistance!

If you're struggling to make ends meet, there are non-profit credit counseling agencies in Maine who can help you figure out a debt relief plan. We discourage you from hiring a company that promises to help you get out of debt for a fraction of the cost and in record time. It simply doesn't work that way. Many times consumers who get had by these scams are promised they can resolve a large amount of debt, say $20,000 for only $5,000 in record time if they pay regular monthly fees to a company who will do all of the leg work for them and negotiate with the debtors. Unfortunately, they only make a bad situation worse by taking your money for themselves and not distributing it to your creditors, which will further damage your credit score and may lead to lawsuits against you.

Classified Ad Scams

Whether you shop for items via Craigslist or some other online swap site, or through the back pages of the newspaper or Maine's own Uncle Henry's publication, beware that scammers are everywhere. Fraudsters use the internet and these publications to dupe folks trying to sell their items for cash.

It works like this - you post a microwave online for $50, you receive an email from an eager person wanting to buy the microwave for $1,200. He sends you a check, which you cash and wire $100 to a shipper. You do has instructed, but find out 5 days later the check was a fraud and you owe the bank whatever money you've spent against that check. Anyone who asks you to wire them money or send back money is scamming you. We suggest if you can't meet the person locally, keep looking for a buyer.

Always keep your personal safety in mind. Meet in a public place, not a private home. Many police stations in Maine have designated meeting spaces for this purpose.

Medical Alert Scams

You've probably seen the TV ad for a device that you wear and push a button if you've fallen and can't get up. The device calls for help. There are legitimate medical alert devices on the market, but there are also scammers out there attempting to sell fake devices. Do your homework, and make sure you are getting a legitimate product.

It goes like this - a person calls your home and claims they are from Medicare or a medical provider you may have heard of to tell you that your free medical alert device has been paid for and ready to activate. You only need to provide your personal information like a credit card number or social security number to complete the setup. By providing that information, you've given them access to your money and your identity.

When anyone calls you out of the blue trying to sell you something, don't wait for them to finish their spiel, just hang up. Do not engage with the callers, doing so only confirms your number works, which results in more calls.

Timeshare Resale Scams

If you're trying to get out of your timeshare, you've probably discovered that it is a lot harder to get out of your timeshare than it was to sign up for it. Scammers take full advantage of this by offering their services to help you. They often have ads or websites indicating they are timeshare resellers or even real estate agents and say they have buyers for every type of timeshare and they GUARANTEE they can get you out of your contract.

These scam artists are very sophisticated. They have decent looking websites, use names of businesses you're familiar with, some even suggest they have been approved by your Attorney General's Office! We don't do that.

Once you're under their spell, they ask you to provide some money up front to pay closing costs, paperwork fees, taxes, etc. Consumers end up losing thousands of dollars in this scam and never get out of their timeshare contract.

Be skeptical of anyone who promises they can get you out of a contract, or pressures you into a deal with them. Be quick to say no and slow to say yes. Do your homework and make sure this is a legitimate business with a licensed real estate agent. Ask your resort for ways to sell your timeshare. NEVER give money up front to sell your timeshare.

Hotel and Motel Evictions

Following recent changes by the Maine State Housing Authority to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which will cap hotel reimbursement rates for eligible Mainers lacking permanent housing beginning June 1, there have been multiple reports of people being asked to leave the hotels where they are living. Those participating in the program – both the hotels and the individuals who have been residing there – should be aware of Maine law about requiring individuals to move out.

For example, on a case-by-case basis, residents may be considered tenants rather than guests and may have due process rights under Maine’s landlord-tenant laws about evictions. See Degenhardt v. EWE Ltd. Partnership, 2011 ME 23, 13 A.3d 790. See also Chapter 14, § 14.17, of the Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide (https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=27933&an=1).

Owners of hotels and motels as well as individuals staying there should consult with an attorney to understand their legal obligations and rights.

Individuals facing eviction may contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance to determine if they qualify for help from Pine Tree – call 207-774-8211 or visit https://ptla.org/contact-us.

For more information about Maine’s landlord-tenant laws and the eviction process, see Chapter 14 of the Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide (https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=27933&an=1)

or information from Pine Tree (https://ptla.org/motels-hotels-and-rooming-houses).

Maine's Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program made funds available to help eligible Mainers to pay for their housing needs, including monthly rent for both rental housing and in hotels. As this program comes to an end, those participating in the program should be aware of Maine law about requiring individuals to move out.

Under Maine law, only a court may order a tenant be forcibly evicted following a forcible entry and detainer (FED) action, and only a law enforcement officer can enforce the court’s eviction order. See § 14.7 of the Consumer Law Guide. Attempts to force tenants to leave, or to evict tenants in any way other than filing an FED action, are illegal including turning off utilities, preventing access to the apartment, seizing property, or engaging in discrimination. See § 14.8 of the Consumer Law Guide. Law enforcement officers should ensure they have a valid court order prior to assisting with an eviction.

Landlords and owners of hotels and motels as well as individuals in rental housing or hotels or motels should consult with an attorney to understand their legal obligations and rights.

Individuals facing eviction may contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance to determine if they qualify for help from Pine Tree – call 207-774-8211 or Contact PTLA | Pine Tree Legal Assistance .

For more information about Maine’s landlord-tenant laws and the eviction process, see Chapter 14 of the Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide.

or information from Pine Tree Legal Assistance about motels, hotels, and rooming houses.

Solar Advertisements Advisory

CONSUMER ADVISORY: SOLAR PANEL ADVERTISEMENTS
(10-16-2024)

The Office of the Maine Attorney General has become aware of misleading solicitations for solar panel installations.

When considering ads and solicitations in any form for solar energy, we want to alert the public of the following:

Maine is not requiring any homeowner to convert to solar for their energy needs.
Maine does not currently have any government program offering incentives, grants, rebates, or tax credits for the installation of solar panels at homes in Maine.
Maine has not approved or selected any particular county, city, town, or neighborhood for conversion to solar.

If you are considering installing a solar array at your home and financing or deferring the cost of that install, remember:

Although companies may advertise that there is no upfront cost, much like other consumer financing agreements, this is not “free.” Some contracts may create financial obligations like a mortgage or long-term lease.
- They can have long terms (20+ years) over which you will be making regular payments to a third party.
- Payments may increase over time.
- You may not own the panels after they are installed, so if you decide to sell your home you may have to purchase them outright or reduce the asking price.

If you were solicited and did not make the first contact with the business, you have the right to cancel within 3 business days of signing the contract. The business must inform you of your right to cancel and cannot require you to waive your right to cancel. It is also illegal for the business to start work during those three days if the work is to be done at your home

If you are concerned that you have been the victim of a solar scam, please contact the Office of the Maine Attorney General at (207) 626-8849 or on our website at https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/

Rent Increase Notices Advisory

Maine law requires landlords to provide tenants with advance, written, notice of rent increases. See 14 M.R.S.A. § 6015. This requirement applies to any type of rental housing, including rented mobile homes, and it cannot be waived.

Updates to this law now require that for a rent increase of 10% or more, a landlord must provide a tenant at least 75 days’ written notice. This includes scenarios in which a landlord has increased rent more than once in a 12-month period. For example, if a landlord increases rent by 5%, and then by another 5% within the same year, the landlord must give at least 75 days’ notice of the second increase. For rent increases of less than 10%, 45 days’ written notice is required to be provided to a tenant. If a landlord is in violation, a tenant may be entitled to recover rent, interest, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the landlord.

For more information about Maine’s landlord-tenant and mobile home laws, see Chapter 14 and Chapter 15 of the Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide.

Please contact the Office of the Attorney General to file a complaint if you believe your rent has been unlawfully raised.

https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/index.shtml

Maine.gov

Office of the Maine Attorney General