{
  "verified": "2026-06-25",
  "disclaimer": "Complaint-routing & drafting information, not legal advice.",
  "category": "bank",
  "categoryLabel": "Bank / Lender / Credit Card",
  "sub": "",
  "state": "California",
  "fullyRouted": true,
  "agencies": [
    {
      "name": "CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau",
      "level": "federal",
      "portal": "https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/",
      "directory": "https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/",
      "jurisdiction": "The CFPB forwards your complaint to the bank, which must respond — usually within 15 days. This is the strongest free lever for any consumer-finance problem.",
      "include": [
        "Your full name, address, phone and email",
        "The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about",
        "Any account, policy, claim, case, loan or reference number",
        "What happened, in order",
        "The dollar amount and dates",
        "The specific outcome you are asking for",
        "Copies of statements and any responses from the bank"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "OCC — HelpWithMyBank (national banks)",
      "level": "federal",
      "portal": "https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/complaints/index-file-a-bank-complaint.html",
      "directory": "https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/complaints/index-file-a-bank-complaint.html",
      "jurisdiction": "Use the OCC if the bank is nationally chartered (name ends in 'N.A.' or 'National Association'). For state-chartered banks, use the CFPB plus your state regulator below.",
      "include": [
        "Your full name, address, phone and email",
        "The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about",
        "Any account, policy, claim, case, loan or reference number",
        "The dates of what happened (in order)",
        "The specific outcome you are asking for"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "California Banking / Financial Regulator",
      "level": "state",
      "portal": "https://www.csbs.org/csbs-state-banking-regulator-directory",
      "direct": false,
      "directory": "https://www.csbs.org/csbs-state-banking-regulator-directory",
      "jurisdiction": "Your state banking/financial regulator covers STATE-chartered banks and credit unions and local lenders the federal agencies don't reach.",
      "include": [
        "Your full name, address, phone and email",
        "The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about",
        "The dates of what happened (in order)",
        "Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)",
        "The specific outcome you are asking for",
        "Any prior attempts you made to resolve it directly"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "crossLinks": [
    {
      "crossLink": true,
      "text": "If the dispute is about a debt or your credit report, the debt-validation / FCRA dispute-letter tool targets it directly.",
      "url": "https://debt.getsmallclaims.com"
    }
  ],
  "lawyerNotes": [],
  "draft": {
    "statement": "I am filing a complaint against my financial institution.\n\n[Describe, in order, exactly what happened — what they did, what they said, and how it harmed you.]\n\nThe party involved is [Name of the business/agency].\n\nWhat I am asking for: [State the specific outcome you want: a refund, a corrected record, a re-review, a repair, etc.]\n\nI have kept copies of all relevant documents and can provide them on request. Please confirm receipt and advise on next steps.\n\n[Your full name]\n[Your email / phone]",
    "letter": "[Your full name]\n[Your address]\n[Your email / phone]\n\nJune 26, 2026\n\nCFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\nRe: Formal Complaint — [Name of the business/agency]\n\nTo Whom It May Concern:\n\nI am filing a complaint against my financial institution. I am submitting this complaint for investigation and request a written response.\n\nFacts: [Describe, in order, exactly what happened — what they did, what they said, and how it harmed you.] The party responsible is [Name of the business/agency].\n\nI believe this conduct falls within your agency's jurisdiction. I have attempted to resolve this directly without success.\n\nRequested relief: [State the specific outcome you want: a refund, a corrected record, a re-review, a repair, etc.]\n\nI have enclosed copies (not originals) of the supporting documents. Please confirm receipt and provide a complaint or case number. I can be reached at [Your email / phone].\n\nI am sending this letter via certified mail, return receipt requested, and am keeping a copy for my records.\n\nSincerely,\n\n\n[Your full name]\n\nEnclosures: supporting documents (copies)",
    "escalation": [
      "Send your complaint to the primary regulator above (use the portal link — keep the confirmation/case number).",
      "Send the formal letter to the company itself by certified mail, return receipt requested, giving a deadline (commonly 30 days).",
      "If you paid by card/bank/wire and lost money, dispute the charge with your bank in parallel — do this immediately, speed matters.",
      "No response by the deadline? File with the SECOND agency listed and reference your first case number.",
      "Still unresolved and money is owed? Small-claims court is fast and cheap (getsmallclaims.com). For injury or large losses, consult an attorney."
    ]
  }
}