Angry about fraud or an unsafe product? Here’s how to file a federal complaint

The useful part

It's always worth lodging a complaint, despite government budget cuts, layoffs and the rollback of regulatory oversight It might feel right now like there's no one looking out for US consumers. A wide array of federal, state and local regulators and watchdogs are tasked with targeting company fraud and deception. Commission (FTC) takes complaints on general product and service fraud and scams here.

How it works

• Bureau (CFPB) handles complaints within the financial services industry, including credit scorers and non-bank lenders, here and still appears to be actively contacting companies to resolve issues, despite...
• You can search the Consumer Product Safety Commission's database of product recalls and warnings here and file a complaint about an unsafe product here.
• It often refers cases to other agencies and collaborates with states on investigations.
• Report airline travel delays, baggage problems and discrimination at the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) consumer protection office.
• Center takes complaints about criminal activity online, including fraud, here.

What to take from it

If you have an intractable problem with a company, it is always worth filing a complaint to every relevant government office, consumer advocates say – despite government budget cuts, layoffs and the steady rollback of federal regulatory oversight. The bar for the FBI to launch a criminal investigation is generally higher than at agencies that handle civil complaints.