{"id":2948,"date":"2025-09-24T01:13:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T01:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/how-to-file-a-complaint-with-the-cfpb-a-step-by-step-guide-bankrate\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T01:13:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T01:13:38","slug":"how-to-file-a-complaint-with-the-cfpb-a-step-by-step-guide-bankrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/how-to-file-a-complaint-with-the-cfpb-a-step-by-step-guide-bankrate\/","title":{"rendered":"How to File a Complaint With the CFPB: A Step-by-Step Guide | Bankrate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Key takeaways<\/span> <\/span> <\/h2>\n
    \n
  • The CFPB allows consumers to file complaints about unfair, deceptive or abusive financial practices across products like bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, debt collection and student loans. <\/li>\n
  • While you don\u2019t have to contact the offending company first, doing so may resolve the issue more quickly and save you from filing a formal complaint with the CFPB. <\/li>\n
  • Once submitted to the CFPB, complaints are sent to the company, which typically responds within 15\u201360 days. Consumer feedback on the outcome helps inform the CFPB\u2019s broader enforcement work. <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n

    If you\u2019re having trouble with a financial services company and need help resolving it, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<\/u> in only a few steps. To file a complaint, you just need to create a CFPB login account and complete an online form describing your issue and attach supporting documents to strengthen your case.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    The CFPB allows consumers to file complaints for harm caused by unfair, deceptive or abusive practices, including against a bank or credit union to ensure that \u201cmarkets for consumer financial products are fair, transparent, and competitive,\u201d according to the agency\u2019s website<\/u>. \u00a0<\/p>\n

    If you believe you\u2019ve been subject to unfair, deceptive or abusive practices by a financial company, here\u2019s how you can file a CFPB complaint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Where do you file a CFPB complaint?<\/h2>\n

    The CFPB\u2019s website includes a dedicated filing page<\/u> where you can find the portal to submit a new complaint<\/u>, in addition to resources detailing what should be included in the filing.<\/p>\n

    Which products and services can consumers complain about?<\/h2>\n

    Products and services consumers can complain about include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Checking and savings accounts<\/li>\n
    • Credit cards<\/li>\n
    • Debt collection<\/li>\n
    • Mortgages<\/li>\n
    • Student loans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      If you believe you\u2019ve been subject to unfair, deceptive or abusive practices by a financial company, here\u2019s how you can file a CFPB complaint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      A step-by-step guide to filing a CFPB complaint\u00a0<\/h2>\n

      Before you start, you\u2019ll need to create an account with the CFPB. You\u2019ll need to submit your name, email address, phone number and create a password. After verifying your email, you can start the filing process.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Step 1<\/h3>\n

      The first part of the filing is guided. You\u2019ll have several options to choose from to indicate what your complaint is about. In step one, you\u2019ll choose which product or service best matches your complaint.<\/p>\n

      This could be, for example, about a deposit account such as checking, savings or certificates of deposit. Or you could choose mortgages, which would include such products as conventional home loans or home equity loans or line of credit (HELOC).\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Step 2<\/h3>\n

      In step two, you\u2019ll indicate which problem you\u2019re having. For example, if you\u2019re having trouble with overdraft fees<\/u>, you\u2019d first select \u201cproblem caused by your funds being low\u201d and then select \u201coverdrafts and overdraft fees.\u201d<\/p>\n

      <\/figure>\n

      At this stage, you can also indicate whether you\u2019ve reached out to the respective company about the issue you\u2019re having. If you\u2019ve already reached out to the company, you can indicate what information you requested from them in the complaint.<\/p>\n

      Step 3<\/h3>\n

      In step three, you\u2019ll be able to write directly into a text box to describe what happened. You\u2019ll also be able to indicate what you believe would be a fair resolution to the issue you\u2019re having. You can also attach any documents that would support your claim (the limit is 50 pages). For example, you could say you want a refund for a late fee because it was charged unfairly.<\/p>\n

      <\/figure>\n

      Be sure to include all the important dates, dollar amounts and communications you\u2019ve had with the company you\u2019re complaining about.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Because you can\u2019t file a second complaint about the same issue, you\u2019ll want to make sure you\u2019re making the best case you can to describe your issue.<\/p>\n

      At this step, you\u2019ll also be able to indicate whether you\u2019re OK with the CFPB publishing the description of your complaint to its website. (The CFPB will take steps to remove your personal information, so that you can\u2019t be identified.)<\/p>\n

      Step 4<\/h3>\n

      In step four, you\u2019ll indicate which company you\u2019re having a problem with.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      If you\u2019re complaining about a bank, you\u2019ll have the option to include specific information about your account, including your billing address and account number.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      <\/figure>\n

      Step 5<\/h3>\n

      In step four, you\u2019ll indicate which company you\u2019re having a problem with.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      In Step 5, you\u2019ll say who you\u2019re submitting this complaint for (yourself or for someone else). You\u2019ll then be able to add your personal information so the CFPB can contact you with updates about your complaint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      <\/figure>\n

      When should you file a CFPB complaint?<\/h2>\n

      Try contacting the company first.<\/p>\n

      If the company is unresponsive or unwilling to cooperate, that\u2019s when it makes sense to escalate and file a complaint with the CFPB. The bureau can step in to ensure your concerns are addressed, and the company is held accountable.<\/p>\n

      What happens after submitting a CFPB complaint?<\/h2>\n

      After receiving your filing, the CFPB will send your complaint to the relevant company, which will review the issues raised.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Companies typically respond within 15 days, though some companies take up to 60 days to provide their final response. In the latter case, the company will typically acknowledge your complaint is in progress before providing you with a final response.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      After the company responds, you\u2019ll have 60 days to provide feedback through a post-complaint survey, which will be forwarded to the company. This is the last stage for filers \u2014 whether or not you are satisfied with the resolution.<\/p>\n

      Bottom line<\/h2>\n

      If you\u2019re having issues with a financial service provider \u2014 be it with overdraft fees, a HELOC, or student loans \u2014 filing a complaint with the CFPB can help you get to a resolution. It may be worth attempting to work the problem out with the company first, but that isn\u2019t a requirement to submit a CFPB complaint. And if the resolution isn\u2019t satisfactory, you can indicate so in the post-complaint survey, which the CFPB provides directly to the institution in question.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n