Skip to content
How-to · Consumer help

File a CFPB complaint about a financial company

The CFPB forwards your complaint about a financial product or service to the company and asks for a response.

Steps

5 steps
  1. Try the company firstCompanies can often answer questions specific to your situation.
  2. Dispute credit report errors firstFor inaccurate information on your consumer report, the law requires you to dispute it with the reporting agency before complaining.
  3. Gather your facts and documentsAttach account statements and messages with the company, up to 50 pages.
  4. Submit the complaint onlineYou will create a secure account with your name, email, phone number and address.
  5. Watch for the company's responseSome take up to 60 days to give a final response. You get email updates and can check status.

Bring

  • Key dates and amounts
  • Statements and company messages
  • Company name and contact details
  • Your name, email, phone and address
  • Written permission, if for someone else
You generally can't submit a second complaint about the same problem, so include everything the first time.
  • How-to

    Dispute a wrong charge on your credit card bill

    Consumer help
    1. Call your card company right awayTell them about the problem as soon as you see it.
    2. Send a written billing error noticeSend it within 60 calendar days after the charge appeared on your statement.
    3. Keep copies and note your callsWrite down the dates of follow-up calls and keep everything together in one file.
    + 2 more steps in the full guide
    BringYour credit card agreement
    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau855-411-2372
  • How-to

    Reply to a debt collector with sample letters

    Consumer help
    1. Find out about the debtCollectors must give the creditor's name, the amount owed and how to dispute it, at first contact or within five days.
    2. Pick the sample letter that fitsLetters cover: you do not owe it, you need information, stop contacting me, contact my lawyer only, or how to reach me.
    3. Send it soon and keep copiesIn some situations you have only 30 days after first contact to ask for certain information.
    + 2 more steps in the full guide
    BringCopies of letters you sendProof you paid or it is not your debt
    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau855-411-2372
  • How-to

    Start a USPS missing mail search

    Consumer help
    1. Check tracking firstIf your mail has tracking, look at its current status before you start a search.
    2. Wait until 7 days after mailingA Missing Mail search request cannot be submitted sooner than 7 days from the mailing date.
    3. Submit a Missing Mail search requestUse Start Your Missing Mail Search and give the details of the item. Photos can help.
    + 1 more step in the full guide
    BringSender and recipient addressesSize and type of containerTracking number or mailing receiptDescription of the contentsPictures of the item
    United States Postal Service