Filing a Financial Complaint

Your Right to Report a Complaint: How to Post Google Reviews, BBB Complaints, and CFPB Complaints

As a consumer, you have the right to share your experiences with businesses, whether they're positive or negative. These reviews can help inform other consumers about their products and services, and they can also hold businesses accountable for their actions. You also have the right to file complaints and grievances with consumer protection agencies, like the Better Business Bureau, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The best way to quickly resolve a complaint is to follow the steps below:

1. Call the company's escalations department. Many companies have a special division on their Customer Care team that works to resolve complaints that may still not be addressed. In most cases, your issue will be resolved quickly by this team.

2. Post a Google Review

Google Reviews are a powerful way to share your feedback and direct your issue to a company's escalation team.

To post a Google Review, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your Google account.
2. Go to the Google Maps listing for the business you want to review.
3. Click on the "Write a review" button.
4. Select a star rating for your overall experience.
5. Write a detailed review of your experience.
6. Click on the "Post" button.

Many companies have policies in place to respond to reviews within 24 hours, so be on the watch for a direct reply or direct message.

3. File a Complaint with the BBB

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit organization that helps resolve disputes between consumers and businesses. To file a complaint with the BBB, follow these steps:

1. Go to the BBB website at https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint
2. Click on the "File a Complaint" button.
3. Enter the name of the business you want to complain about.
4. Select the type of complaint you want to file.
5. Provide details about your complaint.
6. Click on the "Submit Complaint" button.

4. File a Complaint with the CFPB

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a government agency that regulates financial products and services. To file a complaint with the CFPB, follow these steps:

1. Go to the CFPB website at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
2. Click on the "Submit a Complaint" button.
3. Select the type of complaint you want to file.
4. Provide details about your complaint.
5. Click on the "Submit Complaint" button.

Best Practices in Writing Effective Reviews and Complaints

• Be specific. The more specific you are about your experience, the more helpful your review or complaint will be.
• Be objective. Avoid using personal attacks or inflammatory language.
• Be respectful. Even if you're unhappy with a business, it's important to be respectful in your review or complaint.

Once you're ready to submit, be sure to proofread your review or complaint carefully. You will want to help ensure that your reviews and complaints are effective in helping others and in holding businesses accountable.