CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION ISSUES CEASE AND DESIST ORDER AGAINST UNLICENSED HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a cease and desist order requiring a home improvement contractor to pay restitution for taking deposits from Montgomery County and Prince George’s County consumers for merchandise and home improvement services and failing to provide the merchandise and home improvement services. William Gregory Gerhardt of Spencerville, Maryland, doing business as Quality Installation, Inc. and Quality Installations, Inc., was also ordered to pay restitution for unauthorized charges that he made to consumers’ credit card accounts.

The Consumer Protection Division determined that Gerhardt violated the Maryland Consumer Protection Act by failing to provide kitchen remodeling and other goods and services he promised and failing to refund customers’ payments. The Division also determined that Gerhardt misrepresented that he possessed a Maryland home improvement license in violation of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. In addition, the Division determined that Gerhardt, who met with consumers in their homes to sell the goods and services, violated the Maryland Door-to-Door Sales Act by failing to advise consumers of their right to cancel the transactions within three business days of their purchase.

“ Individuals that sell home improvement services must possess a Maryland home improvement license and provide the promised services,” said Attorney General Curran.

The Division’s cease and desist order immediately bars Gerhardt from offering and selling home improvement services unless he possesses a valid, Maryland home improvement license and informs consumers of their cancellation rights. The order also bars Gerhardt from accepting payments from customers prior to providing the promised goods or services.

Consumers who may have had a problem with William Gregory Gerhardt, Quality Installation, Inc. or Quality Installations, Inc., may call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662.

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