Consumer Advisories - Unsolicited Check Prohibition - Financial Regulation

August 18, 2026

During the 2026 session, Maryland’s General Assembly passed Senate Bill 582, which makes unsolicited checks illegal that are either an offer of a secured loan or an offer to purchase your home. The bill was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore and takes effect October 1, 2026.

What is an unsolicited check?

An unsolicited check often takes the form of a check that you receive in the mail. It is either a loan offer that you did not apply for or a check sent as an uninvited offer to buy your property. It may be from a company you have heard of or someone you’ve never met. Once you sign the back of the check, you have accepted the offer and must repay the amount, plus any fees and interest. These offers can have high interest rates.

What exactly is prohibited starting October 1, 2026?

Under the new law, companies are prohibited from sending unsolicited checks that offer “secured” credit or that can be used to buy real estate and land (“real property”). “Secured” credit refers to loans that are backed by an asset like a car or home that the creditor can seize if you don’t repay the loan on time. Companies are still allowed to send unsolicited checks for “unsecured” credit, meaning loans that do not have collateral associated with them.
Companies are also prohibited from sending unsolicited offers to purchase your property.
The new law protects consumers from unsolicited loan checks. If you receive one, you are not responsible for repaying the loan unless you sign and deposit the check. The new law also makes these offers a crime with penalties up to $500.

What should I do if I receive an unsolicited check after October 1, 2026?

If you receive an unsolicited check that you suspect violates these new rules, do not sign the check and do not deposit it. Please contact OFR’s Consumer Response Unit by email at [email protected] or by phone at 410-230-6077.