MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- West Virginia's attorney general's office has opened a consumer protection office in Martinsburg to serve the Eastern Panhandle.

Opened Tuesday, the office will link residents in that part of the state with consumer protection advocates. Attorney General Darrell McGraw said the office will help residents with consumer issues ranging from ID theft and privacy to debt collection and mortgage foreclosure matters.

McGraw said the Eastern Panhandle was hit especially hard by the nation's housing and foreclosure crisis. He said the Martinsburg branch will assist homeowners in distress with one-on-one assistance and by obtaining relief under the national mortgage settlement.

A Save Our Homes workshop will be offered today at the Charles Town Public Library.