Where to file a complaint depends on what the company did and what state you live in

You have several places to file a complaint, and which one matters depends on the industry. A complaint about a bank goes to your state's banking regulator or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). A complaint about an airline goes to the Department of Transportation. A complaint about a retailer or service provider often goes to your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Some complaints can go to multiple places at once.

The fastest route is usually your state's attorney general office, which has a consumer protection division that accepts complaints by mail, phone, or website. The FTC also accepts complaints online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and maintains a searchable database that other consumers and regulators can see. Neither charges you to file.

Before you file anywhere, gather the documents you have: receipts, emails, text messages, photos, contracts, or bank statements that show what happened. Write down the dates, names of people you spoke to, and what they said. This takes 15 minutes and makes your complaint much harder to dismiss.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's attorney general office accepts complaints about most companies and is usually the fastest first step.
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes complaints online and shares them with law enforcement, but does not investigate individual cases.
  • Industry-specific regulators handle banks, insurance companies, airlines, and utilities — filing with them is required for some disputes.
  • Keep copies of all emails, receipts, and messages before you file, because regulators will ask for proof of what happened.
  • Filing a complaint does not automatically refund your money, but it creates a record that regulators use to identify patterns of wrongdoing.

How to file with your state's attorney general

Your state's attorney general has a consumer protection section that handles complaints about unfair or deceptive business practices. You can find the office by searching "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" or by visiting the National Association of Attorneys General website at naag.org, which links to every state office.

Most state offices accept complaints through a website form, by mail, or by phone. The website form is fastest — you fill in the company name, what happened, the dates, and how much money is involved. You upload your documents (photos of receipts, screenshots of emails, bank statements). The office then sends your complaint to the company and gives them a important date to respond, usually 10 to 30 days.

If the company does not respond or their response does not satisfy you, the attorney general's office may investigate. They cannot force the company to refund you directly, but they can pursue legal action on behalf of the state, which sometimes results in a settlement that includes refunds to affected customers. Even if they do not investigate your case individually, your complaint goes into a database — if the office receives many complaints about the same company, that triggers an investigation.

Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC accepts complaints about fraud, scams, and unfair business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You do not need to be a lawyer or have perfect documentation — the form asks for your name, what happened, the company name, and how much money you lost. You can upload documents, but the form works without them.

The FTC does not investigate individual complaints or refund your money. Instead, it collects complaints and shares them with law enforcement agencies, state attorneys general, and other regulators. If your complaint matches a pattern — for example, if 500 people report the same scam — the FTC may open an investigation or refer the case to the FBI or Secret Service.

Filing with the FTC also creates a public record in the Consumer Sentinel database, which law enforcement uses. This means your complaint may help catch a scammer who is targeting other people, even if it does not directly recover your own money.

Industry-specific regulators and where to file

Some industries have their own regulators, and filing with them is often faster than going to the attorney general. Here are the main ones:

  • Banks and credit unions: File with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB has authority over banks, credit unions, and payday lenders. You can also file with your state's banking regulator.
  • Insurance companies: File with your state's Department of Insurance. Search "[your state] insurance commissioner complaint" to find the office. They handle complaints about denied claims, unfair rates, and bad-faith practices.
  • Airlines: File with the Department of Transportation at dot.gov/airconsumer. They handle overbooking, lost luggage, flight delays, and refund disputes.
  • Utilities (gas, electric, water): File with your state's Public Utilities Commission. Search "[your state] public utilities commission complaint" to find the office.
  • Telecommunications (phone, internet, cable): File with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/consumers/complaints. They handle billing disputes, service quality, and privacy violations.

If you are not sure which regulator handles your complaint, start with your state's attorney general — they can tell you which agency has jurisdiction and may forward your complaint automatically.

What documents to gather before you file

Regulators ask for proof, so collect everything you have before you start the complaint form. Take screenshots of emails and text messages — do not just copy and paste the text, because screenshots show the date and sender. If you have a conversation with a company representative, write down the date, time, their name, and what they said. If you paid by credit card or bank transfer, get a statement showing the transaction.

For service complaints (a contractor who did bad work, a salon that damaged your hair), take photos or videos showing the problem. For product complaints (a phone that stopped working, clothing that fell apart), keep the item itself if possible, or photograph it before you throw it away. For billing disputes, print or screenshot the invoice and any correspondence about the charge.

You do not need perfect documentation to file a complaint — regulators understand that you may not have everything. But the more you provide, the more seriously they take it. A complaint with three emails and a receipt is harder to dismiss than one with just a story.

What happens after you file a complaint

After you file, the regulator sends your complaint to the company. The company then has a important date — usually 10 to 30 days — to respond. You will receive a copy of their response, and you can reply if they are wrong or if they refuse to help.

If the company responds satisfactorily, the case closes. If they do not respond or their response is inadequate, the regulator may investigate further. Investigation can take weeks or months. The regulator may contact the company, request documents, or interview witnesses. If they find wrongdoing, they may negotiate a settlement, issue a fine, or pursue legal action.

Even if the regulator does not recover your money, filing creates a paper trail. If many people file complaints about the same company, regulators use that pattern to justify larger investigations or enforcement actions. Some settlements include refunds to all affected customers, even those who did not file individual complaints.

Filing a complaint in small claims court

If you want your money back and the regulator is moving slowly, you can file in small claims court. Small claims court handles disputes under a certain dollar amount — usually $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your state. You do not need a lawyer, and filing costs between $50 and $300.

To file, go to your county courthouse or search "[your county] small claims court" online. You fill out a form naming the company and the amount you want, pay the filing fee, and serve the company with the paperwork. The company then has a important date to respond. If they do not show up for the hearing, you may win by default. If they do show up, you present your evidence to a judge, who decides whether the company owes you money.

Small claims court is faster than hiring a lawyer — cases usually resolve in two to four months. But you cannot recover lawyer fees or punitive damages, only the money you actually lost. If the company ignores the judgment, you may have to pursue collection separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a complaint if I do not have a receipt?

Yes. Regulators understand that you may not have kept every receipt. A bank or credit card statement showing the charge, an email confirmation, or a witness who was with you can all serve as proof. File the complaint with whatever you have — the regulator will ask the company to provide their own records if yours are incomplete.

Will filing a complaint get my money back?

Not automatically. Filing creates a record that regulators use to identify patterns of wrongdoing, and it may lead to an investigation or settlement that includes refunds. But if you want your money back quickly, small claims court or a chargeback with your credit card company are faster routes. You can do both — file a complaint and pursue a chargeback at the same time.

What if the company is in a different state?

You can still file with your own state's attorney general, and you can file with the FTC. You can also file with the other state's attorney general if you want. Many companies operate in multiple states, so regulators in any state where they do business can take action. Start with your state first, since they are most familiar with your local laws.

How long does a complaint investigation take?

That varies widely. Some complaints are resolved in weeks if the company responds quickly and satisfactorily. Others take months or years if the regulator opens a full investigation. The FTC does not investigate individual complaints, so filing there does not may provide action on your case — but it does create a record that may help if a pattern emerges.

Can I file a complaint anonymously?

Most regulators allow anonymous complaints, but they are less useful because the regulator cannot follow up with you if they need more information. If you are concerned about retaliation, ask the regulator whether they can keep your name confidential when they contact the company. Some will, though the company may figure out who complained based on the details.