- Before you file your complaint, make sure to gather as much information as possible. ...
- Go to the complaint portal of the CFPB website at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
- Hit the “Start your complaint” button and follow the five steps to submit your complaint
How do I file a complaint against a debt collector?
How to File a Complaint Against a Debt Collector? The best place to file a complaint against a debt collector is with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Both bureaus will forward a copy of your complaint to the debt collector and ask for a response, which they will then forward to you.
What happens when you make a complaint to the credit bureaus?
Both bureaus will forward a copy of your complaint to the debt collector and ask for a response, which they will then forward to you. Complaints are made visible to online viewers, if you give your permission for publication, and the bureaus will attempt to help you and the debt collector resolve any issues that you are having.
How to file a complaint against a company?
Steps to File a Complaint Against a Company. Gather supporting documents, such as sales receipts, warranties, contracts, and work orders from the purchase. Also, print out email messages or logs of any contact you've had with the seller about the purchase. Contact the seller, preferably in writing.
Can I sue a debt settlement company for taking my money?
In that case we recommend closing out your bank account completely to prevent any debt settlement company from taking it. If the debt settlement company refuses to return the money that is legally yours, you can sue the company.
Which products and services can I complain about?
We currently accept complaints about: Checking and savings accounts Credit cards Credit repair services Credit reports and other personal consumer...
What can I do before submitting a complaint?
Have you tried reaching out to the company? Companies can usually answer questions unique to your situation and more specific to the products and s...
What’s most important for me to include in a complaint?
You generally can’t submit a second complaint about the same problem, so include this information to help the company respond to your complaint. Ke...
How does the CFPB share my complaint data?
We’ll share your complaint with the company so it can review and respond to the issues you’ve described. If we can’t send your complaint to the com...
How long does it take for a financial company to respond to a complaint?
When you submit a complaint we work to get you a response—most companies respond to complaints within 15 days.
Why are complaints important?
Complaints give us insights into problems people are experiencing in the marketplace and help us regulate consumer financial products and services under existing federal consumer financial laws, enforce those laws judiciously, and educate and empower consumers to make informed financial decisions.
What did Captain Jamison do when a servicemember couldn't get anywhere with his financial issue?
When a servicemember couldn't get anywhere with his financial issue, Captain Jamison helped him submit a complaint.
How to file a complaint against a debt collector?
The best place to file a complaint against a debt collector is with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Both bureaus will forward a copy of your complaint to the debt collector and ask for a response, which they will then forward to you. Complaints are made visible to online viewers, if you give your permission for publication, and the bureaus will attempt to help you and the debt collector resolve any issues that you are having. What you say in your complaint, how you say it, and what issue (s) you complain about can make a big difference however in whether or not your problem can or will be resolved.
What to do if you can't pay your debt?
If you are unable to pay a debt, you should consult a consumer protection or bankruptcy attorney to help you negotiate a payment arrangement or settlement or file for bankruptcy protection. Threats to call your attorney or sue the debt collector.
What to do if your creditor has inaccurate information?
If the original creditor has provided inaccurate information to a debt collector, you should contact them to have your account removed from collections, file a complaint against the original creditor, and possibly contact a consumer protection attorney for help resolving the issue.
What is debt collector?
A debt collector is a person or company hired by an original creditor to collect a debt owed to the creditor. U.S. contract law allows creditors to hire third parties to perform this service for them. Therefore, you do not have to have an agreement with the debt collector to pay them or to allow them to attempt to collect on a debt you owe to the creditor who hired them.
What time can a debt collector call?
These Acts prohibit debt collectors from doing such things as: Calling a consumer before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. Allowing a consumer's phone to ring continuously in order to annoy them. Threatening jail or criminal charges if a consumer does not pay a bill.
What should not be included in a complaint?
Your complaint should not include: Names of, citations to, or quotes from the law. The debt collector, CFPB, and BBB already know the law. Including this information in your complaint will only make it harder to read and follow and less likely that the issue will be resolved.
Can the CFPB help you with a debt collector complaint?
While you may feel as if you are being treated unfairly by a debt collector for a number of reasons, generally neither the CFPB or BBB can help you resolve the issue if your complaint is about the debt collector's legal actions. So, you should first determine if the debt collector's actions may be in violation of any consumer protection law.