how to write a letter to the attorney general regarding consumer frauds and protection

Start by mentioning to whom you want to complain, specify reasons for it. Furnish details about item/service procured date and expenditure incurred. Briefly, explain the problem you are facing concerning the item purchased or service was taken.

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What should you not write in a letter of complaint?

Jun 02, 2011 · The salutation of the letter should be: Dear Attorney General (last name). For the Attorney General of a State address the envelop: The Honorable/ (Full name)/Attorney General of (Name of State)/ (Address). The salutation of the letter should read: Dear Attorney General (last name). Include your contact information.

What is a consumer complaint letter?

However, for individual consumer complaints, the Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection offers an informal dispute resolution program for complaints against a merchant or business. Although the Attorney General’s Office will do its best to assist you, we are not authorized to represent individual consumers in court or provide legal or ...

What happens after I receive a letter from the Attorney General?

The Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection, part of the Economic Justice Division, prosecutes businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or illegal trade practices. In addition to litigating, the Bureau mediates thousands of complaints each year from individual consumers. A large percentage of these complaints are ...

What happens when the Bureau receives a consumer complaint?

Jun 27, 2018 · A consumer complaint letter puts your complaint on record with the company, and it helps you preserve legal rights if any. A formal tone must be maintained. The letter must be clear and concise, state exactly what has to be done for repair, don’t be too angry or sarcastic and possible include the copies of the relevant document.

How do I write a letter of complaint about a consumer?

How do I email the NYS Attorney General?

What are the steps of the consumer complaint process?

What is consumer Frauds?

Who does the New York state Attorney General report to?

What is the role or responsibility of the attorney general of New York State?

How do you write a strongly worded complaint letter?

How do you write a complaint example?

How do you file a complaint against a company?

What are the three types of frauds?

What are the 5 rights of consumers?

How do you identify fraudsters?

Why is the Attorney General responsible for law enforcement?

Law enforcement actions are taken by the Attorney General to protect the public good and to ensure a fair market place.

Can the Attorney General represent you in court?

Although the Attorney General’s Office will do its best to assist you, we are not authorized to represent individual consumers in court or provide legal or financial advice.

Does the Attorney General have jurisdiction over the law?

The Attorney General does not have jurisdiction over many areas of the law. For an extensive list of other agencies that may be able to assist you, please click here

Is it a misdemeanor to file a false complaint?

You should enclose copies of all relevant documents. Do not send us any original documents. Filing a false complaint is a Class A Misdemeanor. Please understand that in order to resolve your complaint we may send a copy of your letter to the person or firm you are complaining about.

What is a consumer complaint letter?

A consumer complaint letter is usually written to an external agency like a Consumer Complaint Forum which redresses grievances of the public. The letter should specify the cause for your disgruntlement, when it occurred, name the organization which you feel is responsible for the same and explain the circumstance or event which has caused you ...

How to start a complaint?

Start by mentioning to whom you want to complain, specify reasons for it.

What to avoid when writing a letter?

Avoid writing an angry, sarcastic, or threatening letter. The person reading it probably didn’t cause the problem, but may be very helpful in resolving it.

What to do if you think a seller is dishonest?

If you think a company or seller has been dishonest, contact your state attorney general or consumer protection office. Tell the Federal Trade Commission too, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC doesn’t resolve individual complaints, but your report helps law enforcement detect patterns of wrongdoing and may lead to an investigation.

How to write a product description for a new product?

Include your name, address, and phone number. Include your account number, if you have an account with the company. Give the product name and its serial or model number. State the date and place of purchase.

Do you send originals or copies of documents?

List the documents you’re enclosing, if any. Remember — only send copies, not originals.

What to include in a complaint letter?

Include copies of any documents regarding your problem, such as receipts, warranties, repair orders, contracts and so forth. Be reasonable, not angry or threatening, in your letter. Remember, the person reading your letter may not be directly responsible for your problem, and can possibly help resolve it. Finally, keep copies of your complaint ...

How to complain about a product?

Sometimes a letter of complaint is the best route to achieve your goal. Check the product label or warranty for the name and address of the manufacturer. Also, your local library might have reference manuals listing corporate addresses and officers, such as Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives which lists 37,000 American business firms. If you have the brand name but not the manufacturer, your local library may have the Thomas Register of American Manufacturers which lists product lines and their manufacturers. You should direct your letter either to the customer service department or to the company's president.

How to write a letter to a company?

There are some important points to cover in writing your letter: 1 Include your name, address and phone numbers at home and work. 2 If it is not possible to type your letter, be sure your handwriting is easy to read. 3 Make your letter brief and to the point. The letter should contain all the important facts about your purchase. First describe your purchase including any information you can give about the product or service such as serial or model numbers or specific type of service. Be sure to include the date you made your purchase and location of the store, if appropriate. 4 State what you feel should be done about the problem and how long you are willing to wait to get the problem resolved. Make sure that you are reasonable in requesting a specific action. 5 Include copies of any documents regarding your problem, such as receipts, warranties, repair orders, contracts and so forth. 6 Be reasonable, not angry or threatening, in your letter. Remember, the person reading your letter may not be directly responsible for your problem, and can possibly help resolve it. 7 Finally, keep copies of your complaint letter and all related documents for your own records and you may want to send a copy of the letter to the Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau (33 Capitol St., Concord, NH 03301).

Why is a complaint letter important?

A complaint letter is important because it: puts your complaint on record with the company; helps preserve any legal rights you may have in the situation; ensures that the company knows your side of the story; helps to get government agencies involved in your case, if it becomes necessary, and can alert the agencies to any questionable business ...

How to find a toll free number for a company?

Check to see if the company has a toll-free 800 or 888 number for its customer service department. Look on the package labeling, in the toll-free number directory (ava ilable at your local library) or call the 800 number directory assistance (1-800- 555-1212). If there is a customer service 800 or 888 number, follow the suggestions in Remedies: Effective Negotiation when talking with the service representative.

How to check if a company has a toll free number?

Check to see if the company has a toll-free 800 or 888 number for its customer service department. Look on the package labeling, in the toll-free number directory (available at your local library) or call the 800 number directory assistance (1-800- 555-1212).

What to do if you are unsuccessful in getting your complaint resolved?

If you are unsuccessful in getting your complaints resolved directly with the company and must contact other sources for assistance, refer to your letter. Remember that if you have to contact other sources such as the New Hampshire Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau, the Better Business Bureau, or a trade association, be sure to give information about what you have done thus far to get your complaint resolved.

Your Information

By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communications from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Complaint Information

Please explain your complaint: Try to be brief, but be sure to tell WHAT happened, WHEN it happened and WHERE it happened. Be specific about any oral statements the business made to you, ESPECIALLY those that influenced you to deal with the company, including how you heard about the company. Describe events in the order in which they happened.

What to do if you lost money to a scam?

Protect Yourself. If you have lost money to a scam, report it to your local law enforcement and the Attorney General’s Office. It is difficult to recover money lost to scams, but the Attorney General’s Office will try to get your money back for you. There is no charge for this service.

What are scam artists?

Scam artists work hard to sell their business opportunities to you, pitching “opportunities of a lifetime” at seminars, on television, in newspaper advertisements, and through mailings. Typical business scams share common characteristics that give them away:

How many people are scammed at 50?

People over the age of 50 represent about 56 percent of scam victims. Scams come in sizes large and small, and can range greatly in complexity. Scams may originate from someone as close to you as your next door neighbor or a stranger halfway around the world.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is usually more complex than an ordinary case of credit card fraud. Armed with just one or two pieces of identifying information, such as your Social Security number, birth date, or address, a thief can assume your financial identity, access your existing accounts, and obtain a wide range of goods, services, and credit accounts in your name.

What is a bank examiner?

In the bank examiner scheme, a swindler poses as an FBI agent, a bank examiner , a police officer, or detective. The con artist will ask to meet with you, pretending to need your help with an investigation. You will be asked to withdraw your money and give it to the phony official. The swindler promises to redeposit your money to you, but you won’t see the money ever again.

How to get money back from a dishonest company?

A caller offers to help you recover the money you paid to a dishonest company when you were hoping to receive a prize. The caller asks you to pay a fee for helping you “get your money back.” These services are usually worthless. Often these companies just give you a form letter to fill in and send to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. (The Attorney General is not connected with these companies in any way. The Attorney General does try to help consumers who have problems with sweepstakes, contests, and other prize offers, but there is never a charge for this help.)

Is it illegal to win a sweepstakes without purchase?

Your chances of winning without purchase are the same as the chances of someone who buys something. It is illegal to give any advantage to buyers in a sweepstakes. The odds of winning are small. The mailing must state the actual odds of winning the advertised prize.

What is a consumer protection agent?

In the majority of cases received by the Bureau, Consumer Protection Agents serve as mediators who work to resolve disputes using the mail, telephone and/or personal contacts. In general, the Bureau is only authorized to file formal legal action where it has reason to believe that a business is engaged in illegal practices and it is in ...

What is the Bureau of Consumer Protection?

By law, the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is authorized to perform the following duties: Investigate commercial and trade practices in the distribution, financing and furnishing of goods and services for the use of consumers; Conduct studies, investigations and research into matters affecting ...

What is the job of a fraud investigator?

Investigate fraud and deception in the sale, servicing and furnishing of goods and products, and strive to eliminate such illegal actions;

How can consumer complaints be resolved?

Consumer complaints can often be resolved as a result of the mediation process. Enforcement: Investigation, settlement, and litigation of consumer protection matters. Learn more about the role of attorneys general in consumer protection or how attorneys general work together on consumer protection matters.

What is the role of an attorney general?

Attorneys general are a leading consumer protection force in the country, generally receiving their authority from state consumer protection laws giving the attorney general primary enforcement responsibility within their state or territory. Some federal statutes also give attorneys general jurisdiction to enforce federal consumer protection laws. Additional consumer protection authority is based on the common law.

What is the jurisdiction of an attorney general?

Attorneys general have broad jurisdiction when it comes to consumer protection. Below are some of the numerous topics addressed by attorneys general.

What is H.R. 1215?

H.R. 1215 provides much needed education and training for the employees most likely to be able to detect and report elder fraud and scams. The bill also provides a mechanism for vigorous monitoring of elder fraud, provides information on such schemes to the public, and coordinates reporting with law enforcement authorities. For these reasons, we strongly urge the Senate to take action and pass H.R. 1215.

What is the role of education in consumer protection?

Education: Making consumers aware of their consumer rights and potential scams/frauds through speaking engagements, websites, press releases, public service announcements, mobile offices, social media, and other communications. Mediation: Serving as an independent mediator regarding disputes that consumers have with businesses.

Can a consumer file a complaint with an attorney general?

Consumers can file complaints with attorneys general, some of which offer a mediation service generally relying on the voluntary cooperation of both the consumer and the business. The mediator, who is independent and neutral, acts as a "go between" for the consumer and the business. Consumer complaints can often be resolved as a result ...