Filing a Complaint - Contact Third Parties

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Don't give up if you are not satisfied with the seller's response to your complaint. Once you have given the seller a reasonable amount of time to respond, consider filing a complaint with one or more of these outside organizations.

  • State or local consumer protection offices. These government agencies mediate complaints, conduct investigations, and prosecute offenders of consumer laws.
  • State regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over the business. For example, banking, securities, insurance, and utilities are regulated at the state level. State Weights and Measures Offices are concerned with accurate measures and counts of packaged goods. They also check the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices such as supermarket scales, gasoline pumps, taxi meters and rental car odometers.
  • State and local licensing agencies. Doctors, lawyers, home improvement contractors, auto repair shops, debt collectors, and childcare providers are required to register or be licensed. The board or agency that oversees this process may handle complaints and have the authority to take disciplinary action. Your state or local consumer protection office can help you identify the appropriate agency.
  • Better Business Bureaus. This network of nonprofit organizations supported by local businesses tries to resolve buyer complaints against sellers. Records are kept on unresolved complaints as a source of information for the seller's future customers. The umbrella organization for the BBBs assists with complaints concerning the truthfulness of national advertising and helps settle disputes with automobile manufacturers through the BBB AUTO LINE program.
  • Trade associations. Companies selling similar products or services often belong to an industry association that will help resolve problems between their members and consumers.
  • National consumer organizations. Some of these organizations assist consumers with complaints. Others may be unable to help individuals but are interested in hearing about problems that may influence their education and advocacy efforts.
  • Media programs. Local newspapers, radio stations, and television stations often have Action Lines or Hotline services that try to resolve consumer complaints they receive. To find these services, check with your local newspapers or broadcast stations. See the box below for members of Call for Action.
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission. Report a safety concern or incident with a consumer product at CPSC's website, saferproducts.gov, even if you are able to contact the seller. Your report can help other consumers avoid unsafe products.

 

Call for Action, Inc.
5272 River Road, Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20816
Phone: 301-657-8260
Fax: 301-657-2914
Web: www.callforaction.org
Call for Action, Inc. is a nonprofit network of consumer hotlines that educate and assist consumers with consumer problems. Listed below are hotlines in major markets staffed with trained volunteers who offer advice and mediate complaints at no cost to consumers. Consumers in locations not listed should call the Network Hotline at 301-657-7490.
WTAJ-TV
Altoona, PA
814-944-9336
WFMY-TV
Greensboro, NC
336-680-1000
WPRI-TV
Providence, RI
401-228-1850
WBZ Radio
Boston, MA
617-787-7070
KSHB-TV
Kansas City, MO
816-932-4377
KTVI-TV
St. Louis, MO
636-282-2222
1-800-782-2222 (IL only)
WIVB-TV
Buffalo, NY
716-879-4900
WTMJ-TV
Milwaukee, WI
414-967-5495
WFTS-TV
Tampa, FL
866-428-6397
WJW-TV
Cleveland, OH
216-578-0700
WABC Radio
New York, NY
212-268-5626
WTOL-TV
Toledo, OH
419-255-2255
KKTV-TV
Colorado Springs, CO
719-457-8211
WPVI-TV
Philadephia, PA
866-978-4232
KJRH-TV
Tulsa, OK
918-748-1488
WXYZ-TV & WJR Radio
Detroit, MI
248-827-3362
KPNX-TV & KNAZ-TV & The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, AZ
602-260-1212
1-866-260-1212 (AZ only)
WTOP AM&FM
Washington, DC
301-652-4357
WINK-TV
Fort Myers, FL
239-334-4357
WTAE-TV
Pittsburgh, PA
412-244-4698
 

Dispute Resolution Programs

Some companies and industries offer programs to address disagreements between buyers and sellers. The auto industry has several of these programs. The National Association of Security Dealers offers a program designed to resolve investment-related disputes. Some small claims courts also offer a dispute resolution program as an alternative to a trial.

Mediation, arbitration, and conciliation are three common types of dispute resolution. During mediation, both sides involved in the dispute meet with a neutral third party and create their own agreement jointly. Arbitration uses a different approach, the third party decides how to settle the problem. Request a copy of the rules of any program before making a decision to participate. You will want to know beforehand if the decision is binding. Some programs do not require both parties to accept the decision. Also ask whether participation in the program place any restrictions on your ability to take other legal action? The American Bar Association publishes a directory of state and local dispute resolution programs.

Beware: Recovery Services

A scam artist has taken your money. Don't be scammed again by a "recovery service" offering to get your money back for you. The service is just trying to take your last dime. There is no charge for filing a complaint with a government agency.