{"id":5324,"date":"2026-07-18T18:53:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T18:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/18\/angry-about-fraud-or-an-unsafe-product-heres-how-to-file-a-federal-complaint\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T18:53:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T18:53:18","slug":"angry-about-fraud-or-an-unsafe-product-heres-how-to-file-a-federal-complaint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=5324","title":{"rendered":"Angry about fraud or an unsafe product? Here\u2019s how to file a federal complaint"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"3c694628-0063-4317-9707-97d0d2a61bf8\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"a person touching a screen \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4a59dd7c4b04117edae84352b9610defb67755c7\/0_0_6000_4000\/master\/6000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">\u2018When you\u2019re preparing a complaint, make sure to document correspondence and calls, order numbers, dates and dollar amounts.\u2019<\/span> Photograph: Alistair Berg\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3c694628-0063-4317-9707-97d0d2a61bf8\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">\u2018When you\u2019re preparing a complaint, make sure to document correspondence and calls, order numbers, dates and dollar amounts.\u2019<\/span> Photograph: Alistair Berg\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<div class=\"dcr-19hyiet\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1iguxsh\"><a href=\"\/tone\/explainers\" class=\"dcr-e5rynu\">Explainer<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">Angry about fraud or an unsafe product? Here\u2019s how to file a federal complaint<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1kvrm3n\">\n<p>It\u2019s always worth lodging a complaint, despite government budget cuts, layoffs and the rollback of regulatory oversight<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">It might feel right now like there\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/jun\/04\/us-consumer-rage-prices-economy\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">no one looking out<\/a> for US consumers. But a wide array of federal, state and local regulators and watchdogs are tasked with targeting company fraud and deception.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">If you have an intractable problem with a company, it is always worth filing a complaint to every relevant government office, consumer advocates say \u2013 despite government budget cuts, layoffs and the steady rollback of federal regulatory oversight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">That\u2019s because complaints are often logged and shared with Congress, state legislators and the public. They\u2019re used to determine budgets, structure federal investigations and organize lawsuits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">In other words, yes, the US regulatory system is broken when it comes to consumer rights. But it is not going to get any better without angry US residents providing evidence about how bad the problem is.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">When you\u2019re preparing a complaint, make sure to document correspondence and calls, order numbers, dates and dollar amounts, consumer advocates say. Keep transcripts of your phone conversations with time and dates, and screenshots of conversations with chatbots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Here\u2019s a list of where to log your problems. If you think we missed anything, get in touch at <a href=\"mailto:consumed@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:consumed@theguardian.com\">consumed@theguardian.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"federal-agencies\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\">Federal agencies<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes complaints on general product and service fraud and scams <a href=\"https:\/\/reportfraud.ftc.gov\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>. It often refers cases to other agencies and collaborates with states on investigations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) handles complaints within the financial services industry, including credit scorers and non-bank lenders, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/complaint\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a> and still appears to be actively contacting companies to resolve issues, despite cuts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">You can search the Consumer Product Safety Commission\u2019s database of product recalls and warnings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsc.gov\/Recalls\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a> and file a complaint about an unsafe product <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saferproducts.gov\/IncidentReporting\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Report airline travel delays, baggage problems and discrimination at the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transportation.gov\/airconsumer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">consumer protection office<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The FBI\u2019s Internet Crime Complaint Center takes complaints about criminal activity online, including fraud, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic3.gov\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>. The bar for the FBI to launch a criminal investigation is generally higher than at agencies that handle civil complaints.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Register complaints about moving companies, trucks, buses and other transport <a href=\"https:\/\/nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">You can request an \u201cexternal appeal\u201d of a health insurer\u2019s coverage denial in some states; a federal appeals process was suspended by Health and Human Services on 1 July. More information is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/appeal-insurance-company-decision\/external-review\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">While many US federal consumer watchdogs have been downsized, they are still quietly taking customer complaints and acting on them, activity on public <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/data-research\/consumer-complaints\/search\/?dateRange=3m&amp;date_received_max=2026-06-17&amp;date_received_min=2026-03-17&amp;page=1&amp;searchField=all&amp;size=25&amp;sort=created_date_desc&amp;tab=List\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">databases<\/a> indicates.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"state-regulators\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\">State regulators<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Attorneys general are Americans\u2019 state watchdog, with the power to investigate and bring cases against companies that <a href=\"https:\/\/oag.maryland.gov\/News\/pages\/Attorney-General-Brown-and-Coalition-of-States-Win-Historic-Trial-Against-Live-Nation-and-Ticketmaster.aspx\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">drive up costs<\/a> or defraud residents of that state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">They often oversee states\u2019 consumer-protection offices, which can be found through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/state-consumer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">this US government website<\/a>. You can find direct links to file state-by-state complaints through this National Association of Attorneys General <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naag.org\/our-work\/center-for-consumer-protection\/consumer-file-a-complaint\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">interactive map<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"city-and-county\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\">City and county<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">If you\u2019re a tax-paying resident of a large city in the United States, you might have a consumer-protection official right downtown. Many of these officials are aggressively trying to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/05\/mamdani-new-york-city-consumer-watchdog\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">step up their consumer-protection efforts<\/a> to counteract federal budget cuts and layoffs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">City residents can dial 311 to reach a consumer-protection bureau or file complaints online in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/dca\/consumers\/file-complaint.page\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">New York City<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/city\/en\/depts\/bacp\/provdrs\/consumer.html\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Chicago<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dcoag.my.site.com\/dcoagcomplaints\/s\/?language=en_US\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Washington DC<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baltimorecity.gov\/dcpbl\/our-work\/complaints\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Baltimore<\/a> and others.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Consumer advocates also encourage defrauded customers to write to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.house.gov\/representatives\/find-your-representative\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">their Congress member<\/a> in the House of Representatives, who might champion curbs on a company if it affects many constituents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/money\/consumer-rights-money\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Consumer rights<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/consumed\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Consumed<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/explainers\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">explainers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Angry%20about%20fraud%20or%20an%20unsafe%20product?%20Here%E2%80%99s%20how%20to%20file%20a%20federal%20complaint&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/18\/how-to-file-a-consumer-complaint?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjul%2F18%2Fhow-to-file-a-consumer-complaint&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jul\/18\/how-to-file-a-consumer-complaint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018When you\u2019re preparing a complaint, make sure to document correspondence and calls, order numbers, dates and dollar amounts.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":5326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}