The bonding company for a defunct homebuilder is paying $460,000 to Maryland consumers who weren't refunded the deposits they'd made for new homes that were never built, the state attorney general's office said Tuesday.

Arch Insurance Co. — the bonding company for Equity Homes — has handed the money over to the attorney general's Consumer Protection Division, which will handle the consumer claims. The Fairfax, Va.-based Equity Homes, which closed in 2008, was building in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, the state says.

Clients should contact the division at 410-576-6569 by Sept. 10 if they believe they're due a refund and have not already talked with officials there. The state says it has heard from seven consumers so far.

jamie.smith.hopkins@baltsun.com

http://twitter.com/realestatewonk

Text BUSINESS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun Business text alerts