MD Enacts Ban on Unsolicited Loan Checks

Earlier this year, Maryland signed into law Senate Bill No. 582 (SB 582), which makes it unlawful for a person (e.g., a company) to send a consumer a check or other negotiable instrument in connection with:

• An offer of secured credit if the consumer has not applied for or otherwise requested that credit; or
• An unsolicited offer to purchase real property.

SB 582 is not a total ban on mailed checks.  The prohibition does not apply to convenience checks used to access an existing credit line or to prescreened firm offers of unsecured credit subject to the FCRA.

The new law takes effect October 1, 2026.