Who do I complain to?
Most consumer problems have a government agency whose job is to hear them. Find the one that handles yours below. Filing with any of these agencies is free.
Bank, credit card, lender, credit bureau, or debt collector
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Companies generally must respond within 15 days. File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Scams, fraud, deceptive business practices, or identity theft
The Federal Trade Commission: reportfraud.ftc.gov. For identity theft, use identitytheft.gov. Report online crime to the FBI at ic3.gov.
Almost any business in your state
Your state attorney general’s consumer protection division, a good first stop for most disputes with a business. Find yours at naag.org/find-my-ag.
Housing discrimination by a landlord, seller, or lender
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing: hud.gov/fairhousing. Protected categories are race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin.
Airlines: refunds, bumping, baggage, delays
The U.S. Department of Transportation: transportation.gov/airconsumer. Airlines must respond to complaints filed with DOT.
Medical bills: surprise billing or a bill well over the estimate
Call the federal No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059 or go to cms.gov/medical-bill-rights.
Health insurance claim denied
Your state insurance department (find yours at naic.org). If your employer’s plan is self-funded, contact the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) at 1-866-444-3272 or dol.gov/ebsa.
Employer owes you wages or overtime
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division: 1-866-487-9243 or dol.gov/agencies/whd. Filing is free and confidential, and your employer may not retaliate against you for it. For a final paycheck, your state labor department is often faster.
Unsafe working conditions
File with OSHA at osha.gov/workers.
Phone, internet, TV billing or service
The Federal Communications Commission: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
Mail problems or postal fraud
USPS consumer help: usps.com/help. For postal fraud: uspis.gov/report.
Utility companies: power, gas, water
Your state public utility commission. Search for “[your state] public utility commission complaint” to find the form.
Car dealer, repair shop, or warranty
Your state attorney general (above) and the FTC. Report safety defects at nhtsa.gov.
Robocalls and telemarketers
Register your number and report unwanted calls at donotcall.gov.
Kits For That is not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. This directory is general information and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Agencies reorganize from time to time, so if a link has moved, search for the agency’s name. Facts verified against official sources in October 2026.