Where to Report Unfair Charges and Business Practices

Reporting a bad experience can feel pointless, but reports help government agencies spot patterns and decide where to act. Reporting usually does not get your money back by itself, so also try the business and your card company. Here is where to send different kinds of complaints.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC collects reports about scams, unfair business practices, hidden fees, and subscriptions that are hard to cancel. You can report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses reports to find trends and build cases, though it generally does not resolve individual complaints.

Have the company name, dates, amounts, and a short description of what happened ready before you start.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The CFPB takes complaints about financial products and services, such as credit cards, bank accounts, prepaid cards, money transfers, loans, and debt collection. If your bank or card company will not handle a dispute fairly, this is the place to go.

The CFPB sends your complaint to the company and says companies usually respond within 15 days. You can submit a complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Your state attorney general

Every state has an attorney general, and most have a consumer protection office that takes complaints. State laws, such as automatic renewal laws, may give you extra protection.

The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) has a Find My AG directory to help you find your state's office.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

For billing or service problems with phone, internet, or cable providers, you can file a complaint with the FCC through its Consumer Complaint Center. The FCC sends billing and service complaints to the provider, which has 30 days to respond to you.

Some issues go elsewhere. The FCC notes that complaints about basic cable rates go to your local franchising authority, and charges for non-phone services on a phone bill go to the FTC.

App stores and the Better Business Bureau

If an app misled you or billed you unfairly, report it to the app store. Apple's reportaproblem.apple.com and the Report a problem option in your Google Play order history let you request refunds and flag issues.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a private, nonprofit organization. It is not a government agency and cannot enforce laws, but it does take complaints and share them with businesses.

Report to more than one place if it fits. For example, a hard-to-cancel app could go to the app store, the FTC, and your state attorney general.
Keep a copy of each report you file.

Common questions

Will reporting to the FTC get my money back?

Usually not directly. The FTC uses reports to spot patterns and bring cases, and some cases lead to refunds for many people later. To get your own money back sooner, contact the business, then dispute the charge with your card company or bank, or request a refund through the app store.

Which agency should I pick if I'm not sure?

Start with ReportFraud.ftc.gov, which covers most unfair business practices. If the problem involves your bank or card company, use the CFPB. For phone, internet, or cable bills, use the FCC. Your state attorney general is a good choice for almost any consumer problem.

Is the Better Business Bureau a government agency?

No. The Better Business Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization. It is not part of any government and cannot enforce laws or fine businesses. It can pass your complaint to the business and post information about how the business responded. For government help, use the FTC, CFPB, FCC, or your state attorney general.

Official sources

General consumer information as of October 2026, not legal advice. Laws and company policies change; check the official sources for your situation.