How to File a Complaint with the Texas Attorney General

Do you want to file a complaint against a business? Consider filing a complaint with the Texas Attorney General. Below we will discuss what type of complaints you can file with the Texas Attorney General and how to file the complaint. 

In addition to filing a complaint with the Texas Attorney General or if they cannot 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.

The Texas Attorney General is the top legal officer in Texas. The main duties of the Office of the Texas Attorney General are to enforce laws and provide legal counsel to the state. The Office of the Texas Attorney General has a Consumer Protection Division that handles complaints against businesses that are engaging in unfair or unlawful business practices.   

The Office of the Texas Attorney General helps citizens with many types of consumer protection issues. Below is a list of some of the common types of complaints the Office of the Texas Attorney General handles: 

• Financial and insurance scams.

• Scams related to new and used cars. 

• Identity theft.

• Price gouging (the unfair raising of prices above what is considered reasonable).

Luckily for citizens, how to report and file a complaint against a business with the Texas Attorney General is easy, as there are a couple of ways to file a complaint.

By filing a consumer complaint, you’re alerting the Texas Attorney General of some illegal or fraudulent activity by a business. The complaint can prompt the Attorney General to investigate and, if necessary, open a civil case against the business. 

However, the Attorney General’s Office will not be able to provide you with monetary compensation or other forms of relief if you file a complaint. They also are not able to represent you in a case against that business. 

Quick Tip: 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.

Below are the different ways you can file a consumer complaint with the Texas Attorney General: 

• Online. You are able to file a consumer complaint online by using the Online Form.

• By phone. You are able to report a complaint by calling the Attorney General of Texas Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508

• By mail. You can also file a complaint by mail (download, fill out, and mail this form) to the mailing address below.

Office of the Attorney General

Consumer Protection Division

PO Box 12548 

Austin, TX 78711-2548

Consider including the information below when completing your complaint form: 

• The name of the business or individual you’re filing against

• How you met them and any history such as prior transactions if a contract is involved, and whether you’ve already tried to resolve the conflict

• Their business address

• And a detailed description of what your complaint is

• After you’ve filed the complaint, the Consumer Protection Division will review your complaint, and you’ll receive an official email confirming they received your complaint.

• The official email you will receive does not mean the Office has opened a case against the business. The email is just a confirmation email that states your complaint has been received by the Office.   

• Once you file a complaint, the Office may decide to file a civil lawsuit against the business and investigate the alleged illegal activity. This lawsuit will not be on your behalf or on behalf of other individual consumers but on behalf of the citizens of Texas. There is a higher chance this happens the more consumers file similar types of complaints. 

Additional information to consider: 

• Your filed complaint may become a public record, meaning that any member of the public may submit a request to view your complaint.

• Note the Office cannot represent you in court or give you legal advice at any point during the process.

Option 1: Send a Demand Letter

If the Texas Attorney General doesn't 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:

When you file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General you are reporting a business’ activities so the Attorney General may determine if law enforcement or legal action is warranted against that business. By filing a complaint you will NOT be receiving money, a refund, or other forms of relief. 

If you find that filing a complaint with the Texas Attorney General is not your best option or the Texas Attorney General was not able to resolve your complaint, consider taking one of the following options below: 

1. Send a demand letter to the business. 

2. Sue the business in a Texas small claims court. 

3. Submit a complaint with the BBB.