Bank, credit, and securities complaints | USAGov (2024)

Learn where to file a complaint about banking and investment products, retirement plans, and the companies and professionals that offer them.

File a complaint about a financial institution

To report problems with your bank, financial institution, lender, or broker:

  • Contact the branch manager, the customer service hotline, or the institution's website.
    • Use this sample complaint letter as a guide to help you explain the problem and how you want the bank to fix it.
    • Provide copies of receipts, checks, or other proof of the transaction.

File banking and credit complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

If contacting your bank directly does not help, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint page to:

  • See which specific banking and credit services and products you can complain about through the CFPB
  • Understand the complaint process
  • Find out what documents and information you need to include with your complaint
  • Start the complaint filing process

File a complaint about securities and retirement plans

You can complain to state and federal regulators about investment securities such as stocks and bonds, retirement plans, and the companies that deal in them.

Investment securities

Retirement and pension plans

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

Bank, credit, and securities complaints | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

Does filing a complaint with CFPB do anything? ›

Consistent with applicable law, we securely share complaints with other state and federal agencies to, among other things, facilitate: supervision activities, enforcement activities, and. monitor the market for consumer financial products and services.

What to do if a bank won't give you your money? ›

File banking and credit complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If contacting your bank directly does not help, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint page to: See which specific banking and credit services and products you can complain about through the CFPB.

Which bank has the most customer complaints? ›

America's Worst Banks at a Glance
BankTotal complaints
Bank of America128,404BBB info
Capital One83,945BBB info
Discover Bank24,364BBB info
Citizens Bank11,595BBB info
6 more rows

What is a good example of a complaint letter? ›

Dear [Contact Person]: This letter is to [notify you {or} follow up on our conversation of {date}] about a problem I am having with the [name of product or service performed] that I [bought, leased, rented or had repaired] at your [name of location] location on [date].

How effective is the CFPB? ›

In 2023, the CFPB filed 29 enforcement actions and resolved through final orders 6 previously-filed lawsuits. Those orders require lawbreakers to pay approximately $3.07 billion to compensate harmed consumers and pay approximately $498 million in civil money penalties.

Does the CFPB have any power? ›

The CFPB supervises a range of companies to assess their compliance with federal consumer financial laws. We have supervisory authority over banks, thrifts, and credit unions with assets over $10 billion, as well as their affiliates.

What to do if a bank refuses to refund you? ›

File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). If the bank won't refund your money, the CFPB will investigate. The CFPB will follow up, and most companies respond within 15 days.

Can a bank legally not give you money? ›

Yes. Your bank may hold the funds according to its funds availability policy. Or it may have placed an exception hold on the deposit.

Is it illegal for a bank to withhold your money? ›

A federal law, the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFA), or Regulation CC, provides exceptions that allow banks to delay or "hold" funds deposited by check for an extended period of time. When this happens, you must be given a notice stating the reason for the hold and when your funds are available for withdrawal.

Which bank has highest frauds? ›

Customers of these banks are most likely to be a victim of fraud
RankingBankFraud Search Volume
1Santander11,690
2NatWest11,480
3Barclays9,450
4HSBC5,540
1 more row
Mar 3, 2023

What is the safest place to keep money? ›

Here are some low-risk options.
  • Checking accounts. If you put your savings in a checking account, you'll be able to get to it easily. ...
  • Savings accounts. ...
  • Money market accounts. ...
  • Certificates of deposit. ...
  • Fixed rate annuities. ...
  • Series I and EE savings bonds. ...
  • Treasury securities. ...
  • Municipal bonds.
Oct 18, 2023

What is the most effective complaint letter? ›

What to Say
  • Include your name, address and phone numbers at home and work.
  • If it is not possible to type your letter, be sure your handwriting is easy to read.
  • Make your letter brief and to the point. ...
  • State what you feel should be done about the problem and how long you are willing to wait to get the problem resolved.

What not to write in a complaint letter? ›

A complaint letter is not an opportunity for you to swear, threaten, or make blanket accusations. It is not an opportunity for you to berate anyone; make racist, misogynistic, or vulgar remarks; or suggest who should be hired and who should be fired.

How to write a strongly worded letter of complaint to a bank? ›

Firstly, be knowledgeable. By demonstrating in your letter that you know your rights when it comes to a particular agreement you've made, the more likely the bank is going to take your complaint seriously. Your letter should be written in a calm and polite tone. Nevertheless, it should be firm.

What can the CFPB do for me? ›

Our work includes: Rooting out unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices by writing rules, supervising companies, and enforcing the law. Enforcing laws that outlaw discrimination in consumer finance. Taking consumer complaints.

What actions can the CFPB take? ›

When we take an enforcement action against an entity or person we believe has violated the law, we will post court documents and other related materials here. The Bureau may enforce the law by filing an action in federal district court or by initiating an administrative adjudication proceeding.

How long does a CFPB investigation take? ›

However, it has 45 days to investigate if you dispute after receiving your free annual credit report. Also, if you submit additional information relevant to your dispute during the 30-day investigation period, it can extend the investigation period for 15 additional days.

Does filing a complaint with the FCC do anything? ›

The FCC cannot resolve all individual complaints, but we can provide information about your possible next steps. The collective data we receive from complaints helps us keep a pulse on what consumers are experiencing, may lead to investigations and serves as a deterrent to the companies we regulate.

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