How to Report Consumer Fraud: The Complete U.S. Guide

Quick answer: Report consumer fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, and your state Attorney General. For product safety issues, report to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov. For auto fraud, contact the FTC plus your state DMV and AG.

Consumer fraud costs Americans billions of dollars every year — the FTC received over 2.6 million consumer reports in 2023 and returned $324 million to victims through enforcement actions. The CFPB recovered $3.7 billion in relief for consumers in 2023. State UDAP laws often provide stronger remedies than federal law, including triple damages and attorney fee awards. Your complaint directly feeds enforcement actions — even if no one calls you back, it counts.

Consumer fraud happens when a business or individual deceives you to take your money or property. Unlike scams from strangers, consumer fraud usually involves companies — contractors, dealers, retailers, repair shops, lenders — that abuse the trust of a commercial relationship. Consumer protection law in the U.S. is enforced at both the federal and state level, and your complaint directly feeds enforcement actions that recover millions for victims each year.

False Advertising and Misleading Business Practices

False advertising includes bait-and-switch tactics, fake reviews, deceptive pricing, undisclosed fees, and misleading product claims. The FTC enforces the FTC Act’s prohibition on “unfair or deceptive acts.” Many state AGs have additional consumer protection statutes with private rights of action.

Defective and Dangerous Products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the federal agency for dangerous consumer products. Reports to the CPSC trigger product recalls that protect millions of people. For food, report to the FDA or USDA. For vehicle defects, report to NHTSA. Always keep the defective product and original packaging as evidence.

Contractor and Home Service Fraud

Contractor fraud — including unlicensed work, incomplete jobs, and storm chaser schemes — is one of the most common consumer complaints. Licensing is state-regulated. Your state contractor licensing board has enforcement authority and can revoke licenses, mandate refunds, and refer to the AG for prosecution.

Auto and Vehicle Fraud

Auto fraud includes odometer tampering, undisclosed salvage titles, hidden accident damage, and bait-and-switch financing. The FTC and state AGs actively pursue auto dealer fraud. Keep all purchase documents, Carfax reports, and any written promises made by the dealer as evidence.

Moving Company and Towing Fraud

Interstate moving fraud (“hostage loads”) is a federal violation regulated by the FMCSA. Predatory towing — excessive fees, illegal holds, no posted signage — is regulated state-by-state. Both are highly actionable complaints.

Price Gouging and Emergency Fraud

All 50 states have price gouging laws that activate during declared emergencies. Price gouging complaints are among the most time-sensitive — file as soon as you see it, while the emergency declaration is still in effect.

How to Report Consumer Fraud: Step by Step

1. Gather all documentation. Contracts, receipts, invoices, emails, texts, photos of defective work or products, screenshots of ads or listings. The more specific your complaint, the more actionable it is.
2. Dispute with the business first (in writing). Send a certified letter or email demanding resolution. This creates a paper trail and is often required before escalation.
3. File a chargeback. If you paid by credit card, contact your issuer immediately. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute charges for undelivered or misrepresented goods.
4. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC is the primary federal consumer protection agency. Your report feeds the Consumer Sentinel database used by law enforcement nationwide.
5. File with the CFPB for financial product issues — loans, debt collectors, credit cards, servicers.
6. Report to your state AG using the contacts below. State AGs have broad consumer protection authority and often handle cases the FTC doesn’t prioritize.
7. File with the BBB. Not a law enforcement agency, but public BBB complaints pressure businesses to respond and may establish a pattern for AG action.
8. Consider small claims court for losses under your state’s limit (typically $5,000–$10,000). Most consumer fraud cases are well within small claims jurisdiction, and you don’t need a lawyer.

Federal Consumer Protection Agencies

All 50 State Consumer Protection Offices

State consumer protection offices enforce state UDAP (Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices) laws, which often provide stronger remedies than federal law including triple damages and attorney fee awards for successful plaintiffs.

What To Do If Agencies Don’t Respond: Last Resort Options

If you’ve filed with the FTC, CFPB, and your state AG and still haven’t seen action, here are your remaining escalation paths:

1. Hire a consumer protection attorney on contingency. Under state UDAP laws, prevailing plaintiffs recover attorney fees — so many attorneys take these cases at no upfront cost. Find one via NACA (consumeradvocates.org) or your state bar’s referral service.
2. Sue in small claims court. For losses under your state’s limit (typically $5,000–$10,000), you can file without a lawyer. Small claims is surprisingly effective against local businesses — judgments can be enforced against business bank accounts.
3. File a BBB complaint and public review. Not law enforcement, but public complaints create reputational pressure and establish a pattern AGs use to open investigations.
4. Contact investigative journalists. Local TV consumer segments (often called “Problem Solvers” or “Call for Action”), newspapers, and national outlets like ProPublica investigate consumer fraud. A journalist inquiry moves companies fast.
5. Contact your state legislator. Constituent services offices can prompt state agencies to act on unresolved complaints, especially against licensed businesses.
6. File a chargeback even late. If you paid by credit card, some issuers allow chargebacks up to 120 days after the transaction. Call and escalate to a supervisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.