Free Guide 🇺🇸
How to Write a Consumer Complaint Letter in the US
When a company wrongs you as a consumer, a well-written formal complaint letter is often the fastest route to a resolution. This guide explains your rights and how to write an effective complaint.
Your federal consumer protection rights
- —FTC Act — prohibits unfair and deceptive business practices
- —Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — governs product warranties
- —Truth in Lending Act — requires clear disclosure of credit terms
- —Consumer Financial Protection Act — covers financial products and services
- —State consumer protection laws — often stronger than federal, especially in CA, NY, TX
What to include in your complaint letter
- —Your full name, address, and contact information
- —Date of purchase or service, with order or account number
- —A clear factual description of what went wrong
- —The resolution you expect — refund, replacement, repair, or explanation
- —A 14-day response deadline
- —A statement that you will escalate to a regulator or small claims court if not resolved
Where to escalate
- —FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov — general consumer fraud
- —CFPB: consumerfinance.gov/complaint — financial products
- —State Attorney General: every state has a consumer protection office
- —BBB: bbb.org — informal mediation
- —Small claims court: amounts within your state’s limit, typically $2,500–$25,000
Credit card chargebacks
If you paid by credit card and goods or services were not delivered as agreed, dispute the charge under the Fair Credit Billing Act. You generally must dispute within 60 days of the statement on which the charge appeared.
FTC 30-day shipping rule
Online sellers must ship within the stated timeframe or within 30 days if none is stated. If they cannot, they must notify you and offer a refund. Report violations to the FTC.