The CFPB actually investigates — use it
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a federal agency that takes consumer complaints seriously. When you file a complaint, the company is legally required to respond within 15 days. The CFPB has returned over $17.5 billion to consumers since 2011.
When to file
- A debt collector is harassing you or violating the FDCPA
- A company is reporting incorrect information on your credit report
- You've been charged fees you didn't agree to
- A debt settlement company isn't delivering what they promised
- A lender is engaging in unfair or deceptive practices
How to file (step by step)
- Go to consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- Select the product type — debt collection, credit reporting, mortgage, etc.
- Describe what happened — be specific: dates, amounts, names, what was said
- Attach documentation — letters, screenshots, call logs, contracts
- State your desired resolution — what do you want to happen?
- Submit — you'll get a tracking number and the company must respond within 15 days
Tips for a strong complaint
- Use specific dates and dollar amounts
- Quote the specific law they violated (e.g., "FDCPA §806 prohibits harassment")
- Attach your documentation — the more evidence, the better
- Be factual, not emotional — stick to what happened
- File separately for each company or issue
Tip: After filing with the CFPB, also file with your state's Attorney General office and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Multiple complaints from multiple agencies create more pressure.
What happens after you file
The CFPB forwards your complaint to the company, which has 15 days to respond. You can then review their response and indicate whether you're satisfied. If not, the CFPB may investigate further. All complaints become part of the public CFPB Complaint Database, which helps identify patterns of abuse.