Complaining to the Federal Trade Commission

Although regulatory bodies in the United States do not seem to have much ability or incentive to do much to help consumers, a well-placed complaint may nevertheless help change public policy in the long run. If nobody complains, nobody knows. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection is charged with enforcing consumer protection laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act (autos),

In addition to publishing a lot of good information for consumers, the FTC takes complaints directly from consumers, and may take action to protect consumers’ rights, as well (although not on behalf of individual consumers. Here is how to bring your complaint to the FTC’s attention:

• File a complaint online at the FTC’s website;
• Call the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP; or
• Write to the FTC at
  Federal Trade Commission
  CRC-240
  Washington, D.C. 20580