Bureau of Consumer Protection (2024)

The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.

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Fighting Scams and Fraud

As the nation’s consumer protection agency, the FTC takesreportsabout scammers that cheat people out of money and businesses that don’t make good on their promises. We share these reports with our law enforcement partners and use them to investigate fraud and eliminate unfair business practices. Each year, the FTC also releases a report with information about the number and type of reports we receive.

Robocalls

People are getting morerobocallsthan ever. Technology is the reason: Companies are using auto-dialers that can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low cost. So what’s the FTC doing to stop these illegal robocallers? And what can you do to limit the number of robocalls you receive?Find out.

Latest in Consumer Protection in the Legal Library

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Tips and Advice for Consumers

Want to order a copy of your free credit report? Or find out how to get a refund for a defective product? Maybe you’re shopping for a car, or investigating a money-making opportunity. The Bureau of Consumer Protection providestips and adviceabout money and credit, homes and mortgages, health and fitness, jobs and making money, and privacy and identity.

Getting Refunds for Consumers

The FTC sues companies that make deceptive claims about their products or services. These lawsuits sometimes result in refunds for the people affected. Want more information about the FTC’s refunds program? Take a look atrecent FTC cases that resulted in refunds.

Resources for Consumer Advocates

If you work with traditionally underserved communities — whether you’re a legal aid provider, a TESOL or other teacher, or an advocate — theFTC’s resources can help. You can use our materials in direct client services, language classes, financial literacy or life skills programs, workshops, and credit and debt counseling sessions.

BCP Business Guidance

BCP’s Business Centerprovides plain language guidance to help businesses understand their responsibilities and comply with the law. Browse by topic — Advertising & Marketing, Credit & Finance, Privacy & Security — or by industry to find what you need.

Bureau of Consumer Protection Offices

Eight divisions and eight regional offices make up theBureau of Consumer Protection. Find out how each office contributes to the Bureau’s mission.

Join us at the FTC!

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Bureau of Consumer Protection (2024)

FAQs

Bureau of Consumer Protection? ›

The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights ...

What is the purpose of the consumer protection Bureau? ›

The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights ...

Does filing a complaint with CFPB do anything? ›

Consistent with applicable law, we securely share complaints with other state and federal agencies to, among other things, facilitate: supervision activities, enforcement activities, and. monitor the market for consumer financial products and services.

What does the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau help with? ›

The functions of the CFPB to assist people in borrowing money or using other financial services include: implementing and enforcing Federal consumer financial laws; reviewing business practices to ensure that financial services providers are following the law; monitoring the marketplace and taking appropriate action to ...

What types of complaints can you file with the FTC? ›

Take Action
  • Report fraud.
  • Submit a public comment.
  • File an antitrust complaint.
  • Get your free credit report.
  • Report identity theft.
  • Register for Do Not Call.

Who investigates consumer complaints? ›

The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by: collecting complaints and conducting investigations. suing companies and people that break the law.

What are five federal laws that protect consumers? ›

Consumer Warranties and Service Contracts
  • Express and Implied Warranties.
  • Dealing With Warranty Breach.
  • Federal Securities Act.
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act.
  • Dodd-Frank Act.
  • The Fair Housing Act.
  • The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
  • Section 5 of the Federal Trade Act.

Who should you first contact with a consumer complaint? ›

California Attorney General's Office. File a complaint online at http://oag.ca.gov/. The Better Business Bureau. Go to www.bbb.org, or consult your phone directory for a local office.

Does the CFPB have any power? ›

The CFPB supervises a range of companies to assess their compliance with federal consumer financial laws. We have supervisory authority over banks, thrifts, and credit unions with assets over $10 billion, as well as their affiliates.

What actions can the CFPB take? ›

Our work includes:
  • Rooting out unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices by writing rules, supervising companies, and enforcing the law.
  • Enforcing laws that outlaw discrimination in consumer finance.
  • Taking consumer complaints.
  • Enhancing financial education.

When should I contact CFPB? ›

Having a problem with a financial product or service? We help consumers connect with financial companies to understand issues, fix errors, and get direct responses about problems. Tell us about your issue—we'll forward it to the company and work to get you a response, generally within 15 days.

Why would I get a letter from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

We sometimes send warning letters to advise recipients that certain actions may have violated federal law and to help those entities review certain practices to ensure that they comply with federal law.

What is the CFPB rule? ›

Rules and policy

The CFPB implements and enforces federal consumer financial laws to ensure that all consumers have access to markets for consumer financial products and services that are fair, transparent, and competitive.

How to complain about a company in the USA? ›

10 Effective Ways to Complain About a Company Online
  1. Go to the company website. ...
  2. Contact the Better Business Bureau. ...
  3. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ...
  4. Check out the Ripoff Report. ...
  5. Email spam@uce.gov. ...
  6. Try Yelp. ...
  7. Post on Planet Feedback. ...
  8. Google your attorney general.

What are three of the six types of complaints you can make to the FCC? ›

To file a complaint from the home page, choose the category that best describes your issue:
  • TV.
  • Phone.
  • Internet.
  • Radio.
  • Access for People with Disabilities.
  • Emergency Communications.

Does filing a complaint with the FCC do anything? ›

The FCC cannot resolve all individual complaints, but we can provide information about your possible next steps. The collective data we receive from complaints helps us keep a pulse on what consumers are experiencing, may lead to investigations and serves as a deterrent to the companies we regulate.

What is the purpose of the consumer protection? ›

Consumer protection ensures that consumers make well-informed decisions about their choices and have access to effective redress mechanisms. It also pushes for businesses to guarantee the quality of the products and services they offer.

What is the main purpose of the consumer protection regulations? ›

Consumer protection is a selection of laws that protect individual consumers against unfair selling practices for goods, services and digital content.

What is the function of the consumer protection agency? ›

What Is a Consumer Protection Agency and What Is Their Role? Consumer protection agencies are governmental, state and non-governmental organizations that aid consumers who have fallen victim to financial scams, discrimination or unsafe products.

What is the purpose of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau quizlet? ›

- Enforces federal consumer protection, discrimination laws. - Restricts unfair, deceptive, abusive act and practices. - Takes consumer complaints. - Monitors financial laws.

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