Maryland Business Regulation Section 7-101

Article – Business Regulation § 7-101.

      (a)      In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

      (b)      “Board” means the State Collection Agency Licensing Board.

      (c)      “Collection agency” means a person who:

            (1)      engages directly or indirectly in the business of collecting for, or soliciting from another, a consumer claim;

            (2)      in collection of a consumer claim by its owner, uses a name or other artifice that indicates that another party is attempting to collect the consumer claim;

            (3)      gives, sells, attempts to give or sell to another, or uses, for collection of a consumer claim, a series or system of forms or letters that indicates directly or indirectly that a person other than the owner is asserting the consumer claim; or

            (4)      employs the services of an individual or business to solicit or sell a collection system to be used for collection of a consumer claim.

      (d)      “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.

      (e)      “Consumer claim” means a claim that:

            (1)      is for money owed or said to be owed by a resident of the State; and

            (2)      arises from a transaction in which, for a family, household, or personal purpose, the resident sought or got credit, money, personal property, real property, or services.

      (f)      “License” means a license issued by the Board to do business as a collection agency.

      (g)      “Licensed collection agency” means a person who is licensed by the Board to do business as a collection agency.