Consumer rights: complaint options (FTC, CFPB, state attorney general)

When you have a problem with a company in the U.S., have been scammed, or have a dispute with your bank, credit company, or debt collector, there are free official agencies you can turn to. This page explains which agency handles which problem, how to file a complaint step by step with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and state attorneys general, as well as the basic consumer rights you need to know. For tax scams, see 15.7 Tax scams.

• Fraud, fake job or listing, unfair business practice: FTC – ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, loans, and mortgages: CFPB – consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
• Dispute with a business in your state: state attorney general's office or consumer protection office.
• Identity theft: IdentityTheft.gov (FTC).
• Internet fraud: the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• Problem with a company abroad (for example, a purchase from Türkiye): econsumer.gov.
• Unwanted sales calls: National Do Not Call Registry.
• Immigration services fraud: see 12.6 Finding a lawyer.
• For other products and services not covered by the CFPB, the CFPB directs consumers to usa.gov's complaint guide.

1. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
2. Describe what happened, to whom, when, and how you paid.
3. Add the other party's name, phone number, website, or social media account.
4. To report by phone: FTC Consumer Response Center +1 877 382 4357 (877-FTC-HELP).
5. If you made a payment, also contact your payment provider the same day; see 12.7.

• Scope: checking and savings accounts, credit cards, credit reports, debt collection, debt management, money transfers and virtual currency, mortgages, payday loans, personal loans, prepaid cards, student loans, auto loans, and leases.
• Submit your complaint: online or by phone.
• The CFPB sends the complaint to the company. If another agency is more appropriate, it sends the complaint there and informs you.
• The company responds: companies generally respond within 15 days. In some cases, they may say that the matter is "in progress" and provide a final response within 60 days.
• The complaint is published: it is added to the Consumer Complaint Database after information that directly identifies you is removed.
• You can evaluate it: you may provide feedback about the company's response within 60 days.
• Phone: +1 855 411 2372; Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays. For people with hearing disabilities: +1 855 729 2372.
• You can track the status of your complaint through the CFPB's online portal; the CFPB also provides updates by email.

• New York Attorney General — consumer complaint form and OAG helpline
  • Phone: +1 800 771 7755
  • Online: consumer complaint
• Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
  • Consumer protection hotline: +1 800 621 0508
  • Online: complaint portal. Under Texas law, your complaint is public.
• Florida Attorney General
  • Toll-free: +1 866 966 7226 · Citizen Services: +1 850 414 3990 · Florida Relay/TDD: +1 800 955 8771
  • Online: complaint form
• Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
  • Chicago: +1 800 386 5438 · Springfield: +1 800 243 0618 · Carbondale: +1 800 243 0607
  • Spanish-language line: +1 866 310 8398
  • Online: consumer protection
• New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: njconsumeraffairs.gov
• California Attorney General: oag.ca.gov
• Other states, including Massachusetts: select your state from USA.gov's guide to state consumer protection offices.

• Three-day cancellation right for door-to-door sales (Cooling-Off Rule):
  • it applies to sales of $25 or more made in your home and sales of $130 or more made in temporary locations such as hotels and trade shows;
  • you may cancel without giving a reason by midnight of the third business day after the sale; Saturday counts as a business day, while Sunday and federal holidays do not;
  • the seller must inform you of your cancellation right and give you two copies of a cancellation form;
  • the seller must refund your money within 10 days after cancellation;
  • real estate, insurance, securities, and internet, mail, and telephone sales are excluded.
• Free credit report: you can receive a free report from each of the three credit bureaus every week. The only authorized website for this purpose is AnnualCreditReport.com; by phone, call +1 877 322 8228. You should dispute inaccurate information with the credit bureau and the company that provided the information.
• Card fraud: according to the FTC, federal law protects you against unauthorized use of your credit or debit card; report it immediately using the number on the back of the card.
• For building credit, see 10.2 Opening a bank account; building credit.

1. Gather copies of contracts, invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
2. Save correspondence, advertisements, and web pages as screenshots.
3. Write a brief chronological account of the events: what happened, whom you spoke with, and what you requested.
4. First contact the company in writing and keep its response.
5. If you do not get a result, file a complaint with the relevant agency and record the complaint number you receive.
6. Also dispute the payment with the institution you paid, such as your bank or card company.

• Applying to the wrong agency first and losing time. For financial products, contact the CFPB; for general fraud, contact the FTC.
• Failing to keep documents and correspondence.
• Missing the three-day cancellation period for door-to-door sales.
• Signing up for paid and unauthorized websites for a credit report.
• Being too embarrassed to report fraud.
• Trusting a company that says, "We will pay you if you withdraw your complaint," without obtaining written assurance.

• Will filing a complaint affect my immigration application? According to USCIS, reporting fraud will not affect your immigration application.
• How can I get my money back? The FTC advises you to immediately contact the institution you paid, such as your bank, card company, payment app, or wire transfer company, to request your money back.
• I have a dispute with my bank; where should I go? Contact the CFPB. Companies generally respond within 15 days.
• There is an error on my credit report. First obtain your report from AnnualCreditReport.com, then report the error to the credit bureau and the company that provided the information. If the problem is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the CFPB.
• I had a problem with a purchase from a website in Türkiye. You can file an international complaint through econsumer.gov.
• I do not know which state agency to contact. Select your state from USA.gov's guide to state consumer protection offices.

• FTC – Report fraud (ReportFraud)
• CFPB – Submit a complaint
• USA.gov – State consumer protection offices
• AnnualCreditReport.com – free credit report
• IdentityTheft.gov
• IC3 – internet crime complaint
• econsumer.gov – international complaint
• National Do Not Call Registry
• FTC – Cancellation right for door-to-door sales