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How to file a complaint against a debt collector

Harassment, calls about a debt you don't owe, threats, or wrong amounts. Here is exactly which regulator has jurisdiction, where to file, and what to say.

The right regulator(s), in order

federal

CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The CFPB regulates debt collectors under the FDCPA and forwards your complaint for a required response.
Open the complaint portal →
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The collector's name, address and phone
  • Any account, policy, claim, case, loan or reference number
  • What they did (calls, threats, wrong amount, calls after a dispute)
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • Call logs, voicemails, and letters
federal

FTC — ReportFraud

Feeds the federal law-enforcement database that builds FDCPA cases against abusive collectors.
Open the complaint portal →
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The collector's identity
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • What they did
state

Your State Attorney General (consumer protection)

Your state AG enforces state debt-collection licensing and fair-collection laws (often stronger than federal).
Open the complaint portal →
State/local office — opens the official directory; pick your state, then your office. (Verify the link is current.)
  • 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
Before complaining, send a debt-validation letter — it legally forces the collector to prove the debt and pauses collection. Open →

What to include in your complaint

Draft my complaint now →

FAQ

Does filing a complaint get me my money back?
A regulator complaint pressures the company to fix it and creates an enforcement record, but it does not award you damages. For a specific dollar amount, small-claims court is usually faster. For injury or large losses, talk to an attorney.
Will they know I complained?
Most consumer complaints are shared with the company so it can respond. Some (e.g., OSHA, wage) let you stay confidential — we note that on each agency.
How long does it take?
Many agencies require the company to respond within 15–60 days. Keep your case number and the dates.
Complaint-routing & drafting information — not legal advice or representation. This is a self-help tool that points you to the regulator with jurisdiction and drafts a complaint for you to review and file. It is not a law firm, and using it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Which agency applies can depend on facts we don't see (the company's charter, your state, the exact conduct). Government portal links — especially state-level ones — can change; we show the official directory as a fallback and the date each was checked (2026-06-25). Some situations are legal claims for money or injury, not regulator complaints — we flag those and you should consult a licensed attorney in your state.