Thinking of filing a complaint against a business? Consider also sending a demand letter.
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State attorney generals are the primary enforcers of consumer protection laws in their states and are a good resource to those confronted by unjust practices and deceptive businesses.
It is important to note that many state attorney generals will only take action when many consumers have filed complaints against the same business. In general, they won't represent you on an individual basis or give legal advice.
If the attorney general in your state is not able to assist you, consider sending the business a demand letter. We have a free tool that helps you write a demand letter. Check out our demand letter tool.
Here is a video on how our demand letter tool works:
Below we have included how to file a complaint with the attorney general in each state:
State | Additional Information |
Consumers can submit complaints online and by phone. | |
Consumers can submit a complaint in person, online, and by phone. | |
Consumers can file a complaint by phone, online, mail, or fax. | |
Attorney General staff may help by contacting a business and mediating a positive resolution. | |
The California attorney general accepts complaints by phone, mail, fax, or online. | |
The Attorney General’s office does not have the authority to provide legal advice or legal representation to individuals and does not have the authority to investigate or prosecute your case. | |
Complaints may be submitted anonymously, but the attorney general will have no way to update you on the status of the complaint. | |
Consumers can submit complaints by calling, emailing, or submitting a form online. | |
The Office of Citizen Services' operators do NOT monitor emails on weekends, holidays, or after weekday business hours (M-F 8 AM-5 PM). | |
Anonymous complaints can be submitted. | |
Consumers can file online or by mail. | |
Enforcement and defense of Idaho’s Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with the tobacco industry also falls within the purview of the Consumer Protection Division’s delegated duties. | |
Consumers can file a complaint online or submit a consumer complaint form to the Attorney General’s Office in the mail or person. | |
You can file a consumer complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's Office online or by filling out a printable form. | |
Consumers can file a complaint online, by mail, fax, and phone. | |
Consumers filing a claim in Sedgwick, Wyandotte, or Johnson County can file directly with their local district attorney’s office. | |
You can file a consumer complaint online or by phone. | |
Consumers can file their consumer dispute forms online, by mail, or through the Consumer Protection Hotline. | |
Many consumer issues with businesses are resolved through the free and voluntary Consumer Mediation Service, the attorney general can determine whether it would be right for your situation after a brief email exchange or phone call. | |
Consumers can file a complaint online or by mail. | |
Consumers can file online, by phone, mail, or in person. | |
If Consumers have questions about filing a complaint, they can call 517-335-7599. In-state residents can also call 877-765-8388. | |
Consumers can only file a complaint by mail, but if they have questions call their office at 651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area) or (800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities) | |
Consumers can file a claim online or they can consult a mediator via email. | |
For more information on consumer complaints in Missouri, Consumer Protection: 800-392-8222 | |
Consumers can send mail, fax, or file a complaint online. | |
Consumers can file complaints online or by mail. | |
If you would like to email our office regarding an opinion, inquiry, views, or concerns about specific issues, please email us at [email protected]. | |
If you wish to file online, you will need to register with the State for filing forms online. | |
Consumers can file a complaint online or by email | |
Consumers can also file a complaint in Spanish. | |
Informal mediation between consumer and business is available. | |
North Carolina attorney general responds to 20,000 consumer complaints each year. If they find a pattern of illegal business practices, they can enforce the law on behalf of all North Carolina consumers. | |
The North Dakota Office of Attorney General, including the Consumer Protection Division, does not process, take action in response to, or keep anonymous complaints. | |
Live chat agents can provide basic guidance and assistance, however, the transcript of the live chat is considered public record. | |
File a consumer complaint with the Office of the Attorney General by downloading and completing the form below. Then, save the completed form as a PDF and email it to [email protected] with "Complaint" in the subject line. You may also attach any relevant documentation to your email. | |
The Oregon Consumer Hotline is (1-877-877-9392) | |
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General receives more than 50,000 complaints and referrals each year. | |
Consumer complaints can be submitted over the phone or via a form online. | |
Consumer complaints can be submitted by mail, by fax to 803-734-3677, or by email to [email protected]. | |
Consumers can email the South Dakota Consumer Protection office of the attorney general at [email protected] or can call 1-800-300-1986 for help. | |
Processing may take up to 14 days depending on the current caseload. | |
Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508. | |
The Utah Department of commerce division of consumer protection has a consumer referral guide: https://consumerprotection.utah.gov/consumerguide.html | |
For four decades, the Vermont Attorney General and UVM have worked together to help Vermont consumers and businesses. CAP student volunteers and professional staff can help you solve problems with a business, find answers from state government and connect you with resources. | |
Note that price gouging complaints related to the sales of motor fuels should be filed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Office of Weights & Measures ** | |
Consumers can file a complaint online or by mail. | |
To file a complaint in Washington D.C., consumers can chat with a virtual assistant, by texting “COMPLAINT” to (202) 738-5212, by phone, or by completing an online form. | |
You can file a complaint by mail, by email, or via the online form. | |
Filing a consumer complaint in Wisconsin requires that the consumer identify which agency handles the issue they want to file for. There are 7 different agencies that deal with consumer complaints, all with different contact information. | |
The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit (CPAU) at the Wyoming Attorney General's Office promotes consumer protection through a variety of consumer education and outreach initiatives, including its consumer education page and its social media presence. |
Once you file a complaint with the attorney general, they will usually let you know of the next steps they will take. Many times, they will investigate your complaint and if there are many consumers with similar types of complaints, they will take legal action against the business.
Some attorney generals have a mediation process for consumer complaints where you can mediate your complaint with the business.
Camila Lopez
Legal Educator at JusticeDirect. Camila holds a law degree and is a certified mediator. Her passion is breaking down complicated legal processes so that people without an attorney can get justice.
Camila Lopez
Legal Educator at JusticeDirect. Camila holds a law degree and is a certified mediator. Her passion is breaking down complicated legal processes so that people without an attorney can get justice.