Consumer Action Help Desk

Consumer Action wants to help you resolve your consumer complaints. For free, non-legal advice, call 415-777-9635 and leave us a voice mail message with a brief description of your complaint and the state you live in. Our multilingual hotline counselors will return your call as soon as possible, usually within a day or two on weekdays. We speak Chinese, English, and Spanish. While you wait, check out these self-help resources:

 

Help Desk Resources

  • Consumer Services Guide:

    The Consumer Services Guide is a service of Consumer Action. This searchable directory of resources can help you connect with organizations that might help you solve consumer problems or where you can lodge complaints.


  • Free sample complaint letter and email:

    Sample complaint letter and email. You can copy these communications and fill in the blanks to create a custom complaint letter. Check out Elliott’s Company Contacts to learn where to send your complaint letter.


  • How To Complain: Booklet:

    How To Complain is a booklet providing helpful advice for resolving complaints. It offers guidance for remedies through the legal system, government agencies, and local consumer groups, and includes a sample complaint letter and sample email complaint.


  • Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant:

    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accepts complaints about scams, unfair and deceptive practices by companies and unwanted calls, including “robocalls”. You can also submit complaints about credit reporting bureaus. The FTC will not respond to individual complaints and does not handle or mediate individual complaints, however consumer complaints are shared with more than 3,000 law enforcers to help monitor trends and protect consumers. Phone: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)


  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the consumer protection agency with oversight of financial products and services. It works to ensure that banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly. Submit financial services complaints at CFPB Complaint Form. Or, call 855-411-CFPB (2372). Assistance available in English, Español, 中文, Tiếng, Việt, 한국어, Tagalog, Pусский, العربية, Kreyòl & Ayisyen.


  • Federal Communications Commission (Telecom/TV complaints):

    The Federal Communications Commission gives consumers the opportunity to file informal complaints about problems with the communications services that the FCC regulates. Complaints can be filed through the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center, which educates consumers about communications issues and guides them through the complaint process.


  • Consumer Rights FAQs:

    Our Consumer Rights FAQs provides answers to our most frequently asked questions about credit, banking, debit cards, phones and more.


  • Links to Outside Organizations:

    To browse other websites for more consumer information, check out our Consumer Resources Links page. Our Links to Outside Organizations have been chosen by Consumer Action staff members.


  • Elliott.org ‘Company Contacts’ page:

    Elliott.org Company Contacts lists names, numbers and email addresses of executives responsible for customer service at major companies. It also provides advice about handling consumer complaints and welcomes updates and tips about corporate contacts.


  • Consumer Action Handbook:

    The Consumer Action Handbook is a U.S. government-prepared guide that can help with your consumer problems and questions. Find help on such topics as buying and leasing cars, shopping from home, and protecting your privacy and yourself from fraud. (Note: the Handbook has not been updated since 2017, however it still contain valuable information about solving consumer complaints, consumer laws and protections.)


  • Class action lawsuit directory:

    Consumer Action wants to keep you informed of class actions that might affect your rights. Visit our Class Action Database for more information.


  • Free fillable request forms to order your credit reports:

    For those who don't want to use the web to order their credit reports, the Lyngklip & Associates law firm offers free fillable request forms that assemble the letters you need to order your reports directly from credit bureaus. Click here to visit the website. Lyngklip & Associates is a firm of consumer protection lawyers. It says on its site that it will not sell, share or otherwise disclose any information collected online without express permission.


  • Alerts:

    Consumer Action’s Alerts highlight trends in consumer complaints, scams, outrageous fees and other notable consumer information.


 

Quick Menu

Support Consumer Action

Support Consumer

Join Our Email List

Optional Member Code
Facebook FTwitter T

Insurance Menu

Help Desk

Advocacy