A Company won’t fix your problem? Here’s your next move.
Tell us what happened and we’ll help you turn it into a complaint that gets read: the right evidence, the right wording, and the right regulator or escalation desk to send it to.
If you can't submit online, you can submit over the phone.
Call 877-851-8157Or submit your complaint form below- Reply within 24–48 hours
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- 1Details
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Tell us what happened
A few details about the merchant, bank or service involved is all we need to get started.
Guidance for escalating to
- FTC
- CFPB
- FCC
- U.S. DOT
- EEOC
- Dept. of Labor
- State Attorneys General
- BBB
- HUD
- Card chargebacks
Companies we help with
Stuck with a big brand?
These are the companies people most often come to us about. Pick yours and we'll start your complaint with the company already selected.
We're independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any company listed. Names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Appliances & electronics
Broken washers, fridges and TVs, denied warranty repairs, no-show technicians.
Home improvement & furniture
Damaged deliveries, botched installs, missing parts and refunds that never arrive.
Retail & online orders
Orders that never shipped, return refusals, membership fees and price-match disputes.
Airlines
Cancelled or delayed flights, refused cash refunds, lost or damaged baggage.
Company not listed? Choose “Other” in the form and type its name — we help with complaints against companies of every size.
The process
5 moves that get a complaint answered
Most complaints stall for the same reasons: no clear timeline, missing dates, or landing in a general inbox nobody checks. Follow these five steps and yours won't be one of them.
- 01Step 01
Get clear on the outcome you actually want
Pin down what happened, who's responsible, and the exact fix you're asking for — a refund, a replacement, or a correction to your account. A specific ask moves faster than a vague complaint.
Tip: Write your ask in one sentence before you contact anyone.
- 02Step 02
Pull together your proof
Before you contact anyone, gather your invoices, receipts, contracts, order confirmations, tracking numbers, and photos of anything damaged or defective.
Tip: Save everything in one folder, named by date.
- 03Step 03
Go through the company's own channel first
Reach out to their customer support or grievance desk directly, and don't hang up or close the chat without a case or ticket number in writing.
Tip: Regulators usually ask whether you tried the company first.
- 04Step 04
Put it in writing, in order
Lay out the timeline plainly: what happened, when, what you already tried, and a firm deadline — usually 7 to 14 business days — for a response.
Tip: Facts, dates and reference numbers beat adjectives.
- 05Step 05
Take it to a regulator if the company stalls
Still nothing after the deadline? Move it up to the FTC, CFPB, FCC, or your State Attorney General's consumer protection office, depending on what the dispute involves.
Tip: Attach your timeline and the company's ticket number.
Not sure which agency handles your case?
Tell us what's going on and we'll point you to the CFPB, FTC, FCC, or state agency that actually fits.
Browse by industry
Pick your dispute area
Documentation standards, statutory rights and official escalation desks vary by industry. Each guide has an evidence checklist, the escalation path and a letter you can copy.
- Most Common
Consumer Complaint
When a merchant, manufacturer, or service provider fails to deliver promised quality, dishonors warranty terms, or ignores refund requests, you have clear consumer rights under federal and state consumer protection statutes.
- Defective product received with refused repair, replacement, or refund
- Substandard or deceptive goods delivered that differ from advertisements
- Merchant or manufacturer refusing to honor written or implied warranty
- Hidden subscription renewals or undisclosed surcharge fees
Banking & Financial
Issues related to transactions, bank services, charges, loans, or financial services.
E-Commerce
Problems with online orders, delivery, refunds, defective products, or sellers.
Telecom & Internet
Issues involving mobile services, internet, billing, network problems, or service providers.
Education & Student Affairs
Problems involving schools, colleges, courses, fees, certificates, or educational services.
Employment & Workplace
Workplace-related complaints such as salary, employment documentation, or workplace issues.
Real Estate & Housing
Issues involving builders, property services, rent, possession, or property-related services.
Government & Public Services
Information about how to identify the appropriate authority and complaint channel for government services.
Other Specialized Grievances
Any complaint that does not fit into the categories above (Airlines, Healthcare, Insurance, Privacy).
- Tell us what happened
Not sure which one fits?
Many disputes overlap, like an online order paid by card. Describe it and we'll point you to the right channel.
Official escalation channels
Know who actually has jurisdiction
Sending your complaint to the wrong place is the most common reason it goes nowhere. Here's who handles what in the US.
We're independent and not affiliated with any organization below. Links open their official sites in a new tab.
- FTC
Federal Trade Commission
Scams, fraud, deceptive advertising, unfair business practices and identity theft.
Reports feed law-enforcement investigations; the FTC doesn't resolve individual disputes.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab) - CFPB
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Banks, credit cards, loans, mortgages, credit reports, debt collection and money transfers.
Your complaint is sent to the company, which generally responds within 15 days.
consumerfinance.gov (opens in a new tab) - FCC
Federal Communications Commission
Phone, internet, TV and cable service, billing problems and robocalls.
Informal complaints are served on the provider, which generally must respond within 30 days.
consumercomplaints.fcc.gov (opens in a new tab) - DOT
U.S. Department of Transportation
Airline refunds, cancellations, delays, lost baggage and disability assistance.
Covers refunds owed for cancelled or significantly changed flights.
transportation.gov/airconsumer (opens in a new tab) - DOL
Department of Labor · Wage & Hour
Unpaid wages, overtime, minimum wage, final paychecks and family leave.
Complaints can be filed confidentially, regardless of immigration status.
dol.gov/agencies/whd (opens in a new tab) - EEOC
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Strict deadline: generally 180 days to file a charge (300 days in many states).
eeoc.gov (opens in a new tab) - AG
State Attorney General
State consumer-protection violations, local businesses and contractor disputes.
Many offices offer free mediation between consumers and businesses.
Find your AG (naag.org) (opens in a new tab) - BBB
Better Business Bureau
Merchant disputes, poor service and unfulfilled orders with local and national businesses.
A private nonprofit, not a government agency. Complaints are forwarded to the business.
bbb.org (opens in a new tab)
The escalation ladder
- 1
Company support
Get a ticket or case number in writing.
- 2
Executive or grievance desk
Escalate after 7–14 business days.
- 3
Regulator or State AG
File with the agency that has jurisdiction.
- 4
Chargeback or small claims
Recover money if the company still refuses.
Where to focus
Where most people get stuck
Customer service runarounds and regulator paperwork trip up even careful people. We break down exactly what to document, say, and demand so your complaint doesn't just disappear into a queue.
1Subject: Refund not issued — Order #10482
2On Aug 4 I ordered a standing desk ($185.00). It arrived on Aug 8 with broken hardware. I reported it the same day under Ticket #8812.
3Attached: order confirmation, delivery photos and the chat transcript.
4Please refund $185.00 to my original payment method 5within 10 business days.
— Jane Doe, (555) 010-0000
Who to contact first
The right internal desk or regulator for your specific type of dispute.
What proof actually helps
Receipts, transaction records, warranty cards, and message threads worth keeping.
How to word your complaint
Stick to the facts, the dates, and what the contract or policy actually says.
What to ask for
A refund, a replacement unit, or a correction to your credit file — be specific.
Deadlines that work in your favor
What the FTC, CFPB, and Regulation E actually require of a company.
Where to escalate next
State Attorneys General, the CFPB, or the FTC, once the company stops responding.
Please note: We're an educational resource, not a law firm, government agency, or court, so we can't represent you or guarantee an outcome. What's required for escalation still depends on the merchant, bank, and jurisdiction involved.
FAQ
Questions people ask us most
Real answers on consumer rights, what to document, how to check on a complaint you've already filed, and who to escalate to in the US.
10 questions shown
To submit a complaint online, start by assembling transaction records, receipts, and communication logs. Contact the company's designated customer grievance or support desk via email or web ticket to establish a timestamped paper trail. State the facts clearly, cite your order or account number, and declare the exact remedy you want (such as a full refund, replacement, or billing adjustment). If unresolved within 7–14 business days, escalate to statutory regulators like the FTC, CFPB, or state Attorney General.
Related:The essential information needed includes: (1) Your full legal name and contact details, (2) The exact legal or trading name of the company, (3) Identifying transaction details (order number, account ID, policy number), (4) A chronological timeline of events, (5) Proof of purchase or receipts, and (6) Notes from previous interactions. Never submit passwords, PINs, OTPs, or full card details.
Related:Where to complain depends on the industry: For general business fraud and deceptive practices, file with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB). For banks, loans, and credit cards, file with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). For cell phone, cable, and internet providers, lodge with the FCC. For local merchants and contractors, file with your State Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.
Related:If a company delays or refuses an eligible refund: First, send a formal 'Final Demand for Refund' message attaching your order invoice, cancellation confirmation, and return tracking proof, giving them 5 business days to comply. If they fail to refund, immediately file a credit or debit card dispute (chargeback) with your issuing bank under 'Credit Not Processed' rules and lodge a complaint with the FTC and BBB.
Related:For defective products: Stop using the item, photograph the damage or serial number, and submit a warranty claim citing implied warranty of merchantability rights. For bad service: Document the date, agent names, and specific contractual commitments that were not met, then request a supervisor review, service redo, or partial credit.
Related:You can track a complaint by referencing your unique Case ID, Support Ticket Number, or Confirmation Reference Code. Keep all related correspondence organized in one dedicated email folder. If you submitted via FileComplaint.online's intake form, our guidance team provides personal updates directly via your registered email within 24–48 hours.
Related:When a company goes silent after a reasonable deadline (10–14 days): Re-send with 'URGENT: Second Notice - Unresponsive Dispute' in the subject line. If there is still no reply, file a formal complaint with external regulators (CFPB for finance, FTC for retail, State AG for local businesses) who will forward the complaint to executive legal teams with a mandatory statutory response timeline.
Related:To escalate: First request escalation to a Level 2 Support Lead or the Office of the President/CEO. If internal avenues are exhausted, proceed to external oversight bodies: the CFPB, FTC, state utility commissions, an industry ombudsman, or small claims court for unrecovered monetary losses.
Related:When using FileComplaint.online or communicating with a company's private customer service desk, your submission is confidential and never published publicly. You can report anonymous fraud tips to regulatory agencies like the FTC; however, if you are requesting a personal financial refund or replacement, the merchant requires your name and transaction identifier to resolve your case.
Related:Never share passwords, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), ATM PINs, full payment card numbers, CVV security codes, or sensitive government ID numbers. Legitimate complaint desks, ombudsmen, and government regulators will never ask for your confidential access credentials.
Still have a question? We usually reply within 24–48 hours.
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