Banks and financial companies rely on customers not knowing where to complain or who has the authority to act. These are the official bodies with real enforcement power — not customer service departments. Every one of them is free to use, and most have the power to force a company to put things right.
Ready to complain in writing? Draft a formal dispute letter with our free letter generator.
File an official complaint against a US bank or credit card company
What: The US federal financial regulator. When you submit a complaint, banks are legally required to respond formally within 15 days. The CFPB can order refunds and take enforcement action.
When to use: If your US bank refuses to process a chargeback for fraud, applies hidden fees, or violates consumer protection law.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Resolve a dispute with a UK bank or insurer for free
What: Free, independent UK government service that resolves disputes between consumers and financial firms. Decisions are legally binding. Can award up to £415,000.
When to use: After complaining directly to your bank and receiving no resolution or a final response you disagree with. You must give the bank 8 weeks to respond first.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Report financial fraud or a scam to UK police
What: The UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Reports go to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.
When to use: When you've been a victim of financial fraud, scam calls, or online fraud. Keep your crime reference number for insurance and bank dispute purposes.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Report a fraud or scam to the US federal government
What: Official US government portal to report fraud, scams and bad business practices. Used by law enforcement to identify patterns and prosecute.
When to use: Any consumer fraud in the US — fake products, subscription traps, identity theft, or impersonation scams.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Check if a financial firm is legally allowed to operate in the UK
What: Check whether any financial firm or individual adviser is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
When to use: Before sending money to any investment platform, financial adviser, or crypto service. If they are not on this register, do not use them.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Get your free credit report in the UK
What: All three UK credit reference agencies offer a free statutory credit report showing your full credit history and any errors or fraudulent applications.
When to use: Annually as standard, and immediately if you suspect identity theft or see an unexplained credit application on your file.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Dispute an error on your US credit report
What: Official CFPB guidance on disputing inaccurate items with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Bureaus must investigate within 30 days (45 in some cases).
When to use: If you find an account, late payment, or balance on your credit report that isn't accurate.
Want to know more? Read our full guide → Generate your dispute letter →Stop debt collector harassment (FDCPA)
What: Official portal to file a federal complaint against a debt collection agency violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) — excessive calls, calling outside legal hours, or contacting your employer.
When to use: If a third-party debt collector (not your original bank/lender) is harassing you or violating your rights under the FDCPA.
Want to know more? Read our full guide → Generate your cease-and-desist letter →Report unfair overdraft fees
What: Official federal complaint portal for banking issues, including overdraft fees charged without proper Regulation E opt-in consent.
When to use: If your bank charged an overdraft fee on a debit card or ATM transaction and you never opted in to overdraft coverage.
Want to know more? Read our full guide →Check your deposit insurance coverage (FDIC/NCUA)
What: Official FDIC tool to calculate exactly how much of your money is insured across ownership categories (single, joint, trust, retirement) at a specific bank.
When to use: Before keeping a large balance at one bank, or after opening a joint, trust, or retirement account, to confirm you're actually covered.
Want to know more? Read our full guide → Run the full checklist →Australian Banking Dispute & Fraud Resources
What: The official Australian pathways for banking, insurance and super disputes and fraud — the free AFCA ombudsman, ASIC's ePayments Code and financial-firm reporting, and the ACCC's National Anti-Scam Centre (Scamwatch).
When to use: Use this when a bank, insurer, or super fund won't resolve a dispute directly, when you've had an unauthorised transaction or a scam-related loss, or when a merchant chargeback needs escalating beyond the card scheme.
Official pathways:
ASIC — ePayments Code →
Scamwatch / ACCC National Anti-Scam Centre →
ASIC — Report a Financial Firm →
EU Banking Dispute & Payment Fraud Resources
What: The official EU pathways for banking complaints and payment-fraud disputes — the free FIN-NET network connecting national financial ombudsmen across borders, national supervisors (Banco de España, Germany's BaFin) for the internal-complaint stage, and the European Payments Council rulebooks that govern SEPA transfers and recalls.
When to use: Use this for bank complaints, cross-border escalation via FIN-NET, SEPA transfer errors, or unauthorised transaction disputes under PSD2.
Official pathways:
FIN-NET — Cross-Border Financial Dispute Network →
Banco de España — Complaints →
BaFin (Germany) — Complaints →
European Payments Council — SCT/SCT Inst Rulebooks →