Consumer Protection Agency
Protecting Consumers Since 1994 • A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Consumer Hotline
1-800-555-1234
If you have filed a complaint or have a pending sweepstakes claim, enter your alphanumeric claim number below to view status.
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The Consumer Protection Agency works in partnership with federal and state government agencies to resolve consumer disputes through mediation, education, and advocacy. Funded by government grants and public support.
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Format: CPA-2026-7X3M9. Call 1-800-555-1234 if you need help.
The Consumer Protection Agency has identified a widespread pattern of sweepstakes companies failing to adequately notify legitimate prize winners of their awards. Our investigation has found that many sweepstakes operators do not make reasonable efforts to contact winners, relying on a single mailed notice to outdated addresses, failing to follow up by phone or email, using return addresses that are easily mistaken for junk mail, or imposing unreasonably short claim windows that expire before winners are even aware they have won. As a result, thousands of consumers are forfeiting prizes they have legitimately won. Under federal and state sweepstakes regulations, companies conducting promotional sweepstakes have an obligation to make good-faith efforts to locate and notify winners. When companies fail to distribute awarded prizes, those funds may be subject to state unclaimed property laws. If you entered a sweepstakes and believe you may have won a prize that was never delivered, or if a company has failed to respond to your inquiries about a prize claim, file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency. We will contact the company on your behalf, verify the status of your claim, and pursue resolution. You can track your case at any time using your CPA claim number. The Consumer Protection Agency is actively working with federal and state regulatory partners to hold sweepstakes operators accountable for prize fulfillment obligations. To date, CPA mediation efforts have recovered over $94 million in unclaimed sweepstakes prizes on behalf of consumers.
Following 287 consumer complaints filed through CPA, our mediation team, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, secured a settlement requiring National Prize Awards LLC to honor all outstanding prize claims totaling $3.2 million. Affected consumers with valid CPA claim numbers will receive payment within 60 days. If you filed a complaint against National Prize Awards LLC, check your claim status for the latest update on your payment timeline.
The Consumer Protection Agency has received a significant increase in complaints from consumers who entered legitimate sweepstakes and were never notified of their winnings. Our investigation has revealed a pattern among certain sweepstakes operators who send winner notification letters to outdated mailing addresses on file, then declare prizes "unclaimed" after an unreasonably short response window of 10 to 14 days. In many cases, consumers had moved or updated their contact information with the company, but the operator continued using old records. Under federal sweepstakes regulations, companies have an affirmative obligation to make reasonable, good-faith efforts to locate and notify winners. Sending a single letter to a known-outdated address does not satisfy this standard. How CPA can help: If you entered a sweepstakes and suspect you may have won a prize you were never told about, file a complaint. Our mediation team will contact the sweepstakes operator, request documentation of all notification attempts, verify whether your entry was selected, and pursue the release of any prizes owed to you. We also report patterns of non-compliance to the FTC and state attorneys general for enforcement action.
The Consumer Protection Agency, in coordination with attorneys general in eight states, has opened a multi-state investigation into sweepstakes operators who have failed to distribute prizes valued at $10,000 or more. Preliminary findings indicate that several major promotional sweepstakes companies have withheld or indefinitely delayed payment of high-value prizes to verified winners, citing administrative processing delays, additional verification requirements not disclosed in the original rules, or reclassifying cash prizes as merchandise substitutions without winner consent. Federal law requires sweepstakes operators to award prizes as described in their official rules. Substitution of prizes without winner approval, unreasonable delays in fulfillment, and post-drawing changes to award terms may constitute deceptive trade practices under federal and state consumer protection statutes. How CPA can help: If you won a sweepstakes prize of $10,000 or more and the company has failed to pay, delayed payment beyond 90 days, or attempted to substitute your prize without your written consent, file a complaint immediately. Your complaint will be included in the multi-state investigation. CPA will advocate on your behalf, coordinate with the relevant state AG office, and pursue the full value of your awarded prize.
Data from the Consumer Protection Agency's complaint database shows that consumers over the age of 60 account for 72% of all unclaimed sweepstakes prize complaints filed with our office. Many of these consumers entered sweepstakes by mail and provided only a physical mailing address as their contact information. When notification letters are returned undeliverable, lost in transit, or discarded as junk mail, these consumers have no secondary means of learning they have won. CPA has formally recommended that all sweepstakes operators adopt multi-channel notification practices, including certified mail with return receipt, follow-up telephone calls, email notification where available, and extended claim windows of no less than 60 days. Companies that rely on a single uncertified mailing and short claim deadlines are failing the consumers most likely to be harmed by inadequate notification. How CPA can help: If you are a senior citizen or are assisting an elderly family member who entered a sweepstakes and never received a prize notification, file a complaint or call our Consumer Hotline at 1-800-555-1234. Our representatives can research the sweepstakes, verify whether the entry was selected, and contact the company directly. We handle all communication so you do not have to navigate the process alone.
The Consumer Protection Agency has identified more than 40 online sweepstakes operators currently in violation of federal and state disclosure requirements. These companies are conducting promotional sweepstakes without publishing official rules, without disclosing odds of winning, and without making winner lists available upon request as required by law. In many cases, consumers who believe they may have won have no way to independently verify the outcome of the drawing because the company has not published the legally required documentation. Federal regulations and the laws of most states require that sweepstakes operators publish complete official rules before the promotion begins, make winner lists available by mail within 30 days of the drawing, and retain records of all entries and selections for a minimum period. Failure to comply may constitute a deceptive trade practice. How CPA can help: If you entered a sweepstakes and the company has not published official rules, refuses to provide a winner list upon request, or will not confirm whether your entry was selected, file a complaint. CPA will formally request the required documentation from the operator and, if necessary, refer the matter to the FTC or the appropriate state attorney general for enforcement.
The Consumer Protection Agency has received a sharp increase in complaints from consumers reporting automated debt collection calls that use synthetic, AI-generated voices to threaten legal action, wage garnishment, or arrest. Many of these calls target debts that have already been paid, were discharged in bankruptcy, or never belonged to the consumer being contacted. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors cannot use threats of violence or criminal prosecution, cannot call before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM, cannot misrepresent the amount owed, and cannot contact you at work if you tell them to stop. The use of AI-generated voices does not exempt collectors from these requirements. How CPA can help: If you are receiving threatening automated collection calls, file a complaint. Provide the phone number the calls came from, the dates and times, and any details about the debt they claim you owe. CPA will contact the collection agency, demand verification of the debt, and report FDCPA violations to the FTC and your state attorney general. If the debt is not valid, we will demand they cease all contact immediately.
A growing number of consumers are reporting collection attempts for debts they have no knowledge of and never incurred. These "phantom debts" are typically the result of collectors purchasing bulk portfolios of unverified or fabricated account data and pursuing payment from consumers who have no relationship to the original creditor. Collectors may have enough personal information (name, address, partial SSN) to make the demand seem legitimate, but the underlying debt does not exist. Under federal law, you have the right to request written verification of any debt within 30 days of first contact. The collector must stop all collection activity until they provide verification. How CPA can help: If a collector is pursuing you for a debt you do not recognize, do not make any payment. File a complaint with CPA. We will send a formal verification demand to the collector on your behalf, investigate the origin of the alleged debt, and report the collector to the appropriate enforcement agencies. If the debt cannot be verified, we will demand permanent cessation of all collection activity and seek removal of any negative credit reporting entries.
The FTC and multiple state attorneys general have taken enforcement action against credit repair companies that charge consumers $500 to $2,000 or more for services that are available at no cost under federal law. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus are required to investigate disputes you submit directly and correct or remove unverifiable information within 30 days, all at no charge. Companies that promise to "boost your score" or "remove negative items" are often simply submitting the same dispute letters you can send yourself. Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, these companies cannot charge you before they complete the promised services, cannot ask you to waive your legal rights, and must provide a written contract with a 3-day cancellation period. How CPA can help: If a credit repair company charged you upfront fees, failed to deliver promised results, or pressured you into signing a contract without the required disclosures, file a complaint. CPA will mediate with the company to seek a refund of fees paid and report violations to the FTC. We can also provide you with free guidance on how to dispute credit report errors directly with the bureaus.
Earned wage access (EWA) applications, which allow workers to access a portion of their paycheck before payday, have grown rapidly. While marketed as an alternative to payday loans, many of these apps charge "express delivery" fees, "tip" prompts, and monthly subscription charges that, when calculated as an annual percentage rate, can exceed 100% APR. New state laws in Indiana, Connecticut, and Louisiana now regulate EWA providers, requiring licensing, fee disclosure, limits on interest accrual, and prohibitions on debt collection practices. How CPA can help: If an EWA app charged you undisclosed fees, debited your account without clear authorization, or continued charging subscription fees after you stopped using the service, file a complaint. CPA will contact the provider on your behalf to seek a refund of undisclosed charges and ensure the company is complying with applicable state regulations.
As of 2026, the FTC's rule on unfair or deceptive fees requires that any company offering subscriptions, memberships, or recurring charges must make cancellation at least as simple as the original sign-up process. If you signed up online, you must be able to cancel online. If you signed up with one click, cancellation cannot require a phone call, a mailed letter, or navigating through multiple retention screens. The rule applies to gym memberships, streaming services, magazines, software subscriptions, meal kits, and any recurring charge. Companies that violate this rule face civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation. How CPA can help: If a company is making it unreasonably difficult to cancel a subscription or continues charging you after you have requested cancellation, file a complaint. CPA will contact the company to demand immediate cancellation and a refund of any charges incurred after your cancellation request. We report patterns of non-compliance to the FTC for enforcement action.
Multiple states have enacted new consumer protection laws that prohibit sellers from hiding mandatory fees until the final stage of checkout. In Virginia, sellers must clearly and conspicuously display the total price including all mandatory fees and surcharges. In Massachusetts, businesses must disclose the full price before collecting billing information and provide clear cancellation mechanisms for subscription services. In Maryland, new regulations on commercial financing require transparent disclosure of all costs and fees. These laws apply to online purchases, event tickets, short-term lodging, and service subscriptions. How CPA can help: If you were charged fees that were not disclosed before you completed a purchase, or if the final price was significantly higher than the advertised price due to hidden surcharges, file a complaint. CPA will contact the seller to seek a refund of undisclosed fees and report the business to the appropriate state consumer protection office.
The FTC has taken enforcement action against multiple companies, including Instacart (Maplebear Inc.), for enrolling consumers in paid subscription memberships without clearly disclosing that a free trial would automatically convert to a recurring charge. In many cases, consumers did not realize they had been enrolled until they noticed unexpected charges on their bank or credit card statements weeks or months later. Under the FTC's Negative Option Rule, companies must clearly and conspicuously disclose all material terms of an offer before a consumer agrees, obtain the consumer's express informed consent, and provide a simple mechanism to cancel. How CPA can help: If you were enrolled in a paid subscription without your knowledge or clear consent, or if a "free trial" converted to recurring charges without adequate disclosure, file a complaint. CPA will contact the company to demand cancellation and a full refund of all charges incurred without your informed consent.
Robocalls falsely claiming that your vehicle's extended warranty has expired continue to be the single most-reported consumer complaint in the United States. These calls are fraudulent. The callers are not affiliated with your vehicle manufacturer or dealer. They use spoofed phone numbers to appear as local calls and pressure consumers into providing credit card information for policies that either do not exist or contain so many exclusions as to be worthless. Never provide personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller. How CPA can help: If you have already paid money to a fraudulent auto warranty company, file a complaint immediately. CPA will contact the company to demand a full refund, report the operation to the FTC and FCC for robocall enforcement, and connect you with your bank or credit card company to initiate a chargeback if necessary. Even if you have not lost money, filing a complaint helps enforcement agencies trace the origin of these calls and shut down the operations.
Under California Senate Bill 766, consumers who purchase or lease a used vehicle from a licensed dealer will have a three-day period to return the vehicle if they change their mind or discover a problem, as long as certain conditions are met. Dealers are also required to provide clearer disclosures about the vehicle's condition, existing warranties, and all fees before the buyer signs. This law takes effect October 1, 2026 and applies to transactions with licensed dealers only, not private-party sales. How CPA can help: If a California dealer refuses to honor the three-day return right after October 1, fails to provide required condition disclosures, or charges undisclosed fees on a used vehicle purchase, file a complaint. CPA will contact the dealership on your behalf and, if necessary, refer the matter to the California Attorney General's office for enforcement.
The Consumer Protection Agency has identified a pattern among several home warranty companies that routinely deny claims for covered systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, appliances) by citing "pre-existing conditions" that were not documented at the time the warranty was sold. In many cases, the consumer purchased the home warranty at the time of a real estate transaction and had a home inspection report showing the system was functional. The warranty company later denied the claim, asserting that the problem existed before coverage began, despite having no evidence to support this determination. CPA mediation efforts have recovered $4.1 million for consumers whose claims were improperly denied under these circumstances. How CPA can help: If your home warranty claim was denied due to an alleged pre-existing condition and you have a home inspection or other documentation showing the system was functional when coverage began, file a complaint. Include a copy of your home inspection report and warranty contract. CPA will contact the warranty company, challenge the denial, and mediate for full payment of your claim.
The Federal Trade Commission has reported that consumers have lost more than $65 million to rental listing scams since 2020, with losses accelerating as more people search for housing online. Scammers post listings for properties that do not exist or are not legitimately available for rent, then collect deposits, first month's rent, or application fees from multiple victims before disappearing. Common tactics include pressuring consumers to pay before seeing the property in person, copying photos from legitimate listings and reposting them at lower prices, requesting payment by wire transfer or gift card, and asking for sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers on fake "applications." How CPA can help: If you paid money for a rental that turned out to be fraudulent, file a complaint. CPA will help you report the scam to the FTC and local law enforcement, advise you on steps to recover funds through your bank or payment provider, and guide you through identity protection measures if you shared personal information with the scammer.
New data breach notification laws now require companies to inform consumers within 30 days if their personal information has been exposed in a security breach. This shorter notification window, enacted in California and several other states, gives consumers more time to take protective action including changing passwords, placing fraud alerts on credit files, freezing credit reports, and monitoring bank accounts for unauthorized activity. Previously, many companies delayed notification for months while conducting internal investigations, leaving consumers exposed. How CPA can help: If you believe a company failed to notify you of a data breach in a timely manner, or if you suffered financial harm because a company delayed breach notification, file a complaint. CPA will contact the company to verify the breach, confirm whether your data was affected, and help you take immediate steps to protect your accounts and identity. We report notification violations to the appropriate state privacy enforcement agency.
The Federal Trade Commission has sent formal warning letters to 10 companies for potential violations of the new Consumer Review Rule, which prohibits businesses from fabricating reviews, purchasing fake reviews, or providing money or incentives for only positive reviews. Companies caught gaming the review system face civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation. The rule also prohibits companies from suppressing negative reviews, requiring employees to write reviews without disclosure, and misrepresenting the source or independence of reviews. Consumers who rely on online reviews to make purchasing decisions are harmed when companies manipulate these systems. How CPA can help: If you purchased a product or service based on reviews you believe were fake, fabricated, or manipulated, and the product or service did not perform as described, file a complaint. CPA will investigate the company's review practices, mediate for a refund or resolution, and report suspected review fraud to the FTC for enforcement.
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to generate realistic synthetic voices that impersonate specific government officials, including named FTC and IRS employees. Consumers report receiving calls from someone identifying themselves as a specific government "agent" who claims the consumer is under investigation for money laundering, tax evasion, or benefit fraud. The caller demands immediate payment via Bitcoin ATM, wire transfer, or gift cards. These calls are completely fraudulent. No government agency will ever call you to demand immediate payment, threaten arrest over the phone, ask you to pay by gift card or cryptocurrency, or tell you to move money to a "safe account." If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. How CPA can help: File a complaint with the details of the call, including the phone number displayed, the name used, and what was demanded. CPA will report the incident to the FTC, the FCC (for robocall enforcement), and local law enforcement. If you sent money before realizing it was a scam, contact us immediately and we will help you attempt to recover funds and protect your financial accounts.
Robocalls claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service continue to target consumers, particularly seniors, demanding immediate payment of alleged back taxes via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The callers threaten arrest, deportation, or driver's license revocation if payment is not made immediately. These calls are fraudulent. The IRS initiates most contacts through the mail, never demands immediate payment without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount, never threatens to bring in local police or other law enforcement agencies, and never requires payment by a specific method such as gift cards. How CPA can help: If you received an IRS impersonation call, file a complaint to help us track and report these operations. If you made a payment before realizing the call was fraudulent, contact CPA immediately at 1-800-555-1234. We will help you report the fraud to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, initiate recovery efforts with your bank or the gift card company, and place protective alerts on your financial accounts.
Identity theft remains one of the most damaging and fastest-growing consumer threats. Identity thieves can drain bank accounts, open fraudulent credit accounts in your name, file false tax returns to steal your refund, access your health insurance benefits, and damage your credit for years. The FTC's Identity Theft Awareness Week highlights free tools and resources every consumer should know about: you can place a free fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit files at all three bureaus, monitor your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, report identity theft and get a personalized recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov, and opt out of prescreened credit offers that thieves can intercept from your mailbox. How CPA can help: If you are a victim of identity theft or suspect your personal information has been compromised, file a complaint or call 1-800-555-1234. CPA will guide you through the recovery process step by step, help you file disputes with credit bureaus, assist with reporting to the FTC and law enforcement, and advocate on your behalf with any company that has opened fraudulent accounts in your name.
Legitimate sweepstakes never require payment to collect winnings. If asked to pay a "processing fee," "taxes," or any amount before receiving a prize, report it immediately. Federal law prohibits requiring purchase or payment as a condition of winning. If a company owes you legitimate winnings and has failed to deliver, file a complaint. We work with sweepstakes operators, the FTC, and state attorneys general to mediate prize fulfillment and recover funds on your behalf.
Under the FDCPA, collectors cannot threaten you, call before 8am or after 9pm, misrepresent amounts, or contact you at work if told to stop. Request written verification of any debt within 30 days.
Legitimate warranty companies do not cold-call. If a company refuses to honor valid claims, document communications and file a complaint.
Under the FCRA, dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. Bureaus must investigate within 30 days. Free annual report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
The TCPA prohibits most robocalls without consent. Register on the Do Not Call Registry. Companies violating TCPA face fines up to $46,517 per call.
The Consumer Protection Agency is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1994 that works in partnership with federal and state government agencies to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices. We are funded by government grants and public support. We accept no fees from the businesses we investigate.
Since founding, we have processed over 148,000 consumer complaints and recovered more than $94 million. Our mediation team works directly with businesses, and our investigations division collaborates with the FTC, state attorneys general, and other regulatory bodies.
Established as a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization.
Began formal cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission.
Electronic filing system introduced.
Recognized complaint intake channel in 14 states.
Dedicated unit for prize fraud targeting seniors.
Total consumer recoveries milestone, including $12.4M in sweepstakes cases.
When a consumer files a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency, we contact the named business by mail and provide a copy of the complaint, the assigned CPA claim number, and a response deadline. Businesses are expected to respond within 14 calendar days.
Your company receives a formal complaint notification letter from CPA by mail or email, including the full text of the consumer's complaint and supporting documentation.
Review the complaint internally. Gather relevant records, contracts, correspondence, and any evidence that addresses the consumer's claims.
Submit your written response to CPA within 14 calendar days. Explain what happened, what steps you have taken or are willing to take, and any proposed resolution. Your response is shared with the consumer.
CPA mediates between both parties to reach a fair outcome. If the complaint is resolved, the claim is closed and your company's response rate is recorded positively in our database.
Companies that respond promptly and resolve complaints in good faith consistently maintain higher consumer trust ratings. Since 1994, our business response rate has averaged 94% across all complaint categories. Businesses that fail to respond within the 14-day window receive a follow-up notice and may be referred to the appropriate federal or state regulatory agency.
To respond to a complaint you have already received, contact our Business Response Unit at 1-800-555-1234 ext. 2 or email business@consumerpa.com with your CPA claim number.
The CPA Verified designation is awarded to businesses that meet our standards for consumer responsiveness, ethical advertising, transparent pricing, and complaint resolution. Verified businesses have been reviewed by CPA staff and have agreed to participate in our mediation process for any future consumer disputes.
To earn and maintain CPA Verified status, a business must meet all of the following criteria:
Operational history. The business must have been in continuous operation for at least 12 months and hold all required federal, state, and local licenses.
Complaint responsiveness. The business must respond to all CPA-mediated complaints within 14 calendar days and demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve consumer disputes.
Transparent pricing. All fees, charges, and terms of service must be clearly disclosed to consumers before the point of purchase or enrollment.
Advertising integrity. All advertising and marketing materials must be truthful, non-deceptive, and compliant with FTC advertising guidelines.
Data protection. The business must maintain reasonable data security practices and comply with applicable privacy laws governing consumer information.
Ongoing compliance. Verified businesses are subject to annual review. The designation may be suspended or revoked if a pattern of unresolved complaints or deceptive practices is identified.
The CPA Verified designation is not an endorsement of any specific product or service. It indicates that the business has met CPA's standards for ethical conduct and has agreed to participate in our consumer dispute resolution process.
Since 1994, the Consumer Protection Agency has mediated over 148,000 consumer complaints across every major industry. The following best practices are derived from three decades of observing which business practices prevent complaints and which ones generate them.
Display the total price, including all mandatory fees, before the consumer provides payment information. Do not add charges at checkout that were not disclosed on the product or pricing page. If a recurring charge is involved, state the billing frequency, amount, and cancellation process in plain language before enrollment. Provide a written receipt or confirmation for every transaction.
Make cancellation at least as easy as sign-up. Under the FTC's 2026 rule, if a consumer enrolled online, they must be able to cancel online. Do not require phone calls, mailed letters, or in-person visits for cancellation unless the original purchase was made through that same channel. Process refunds within 7 business days of approval. Clearly state your refund policy before the sale.
Respond to all customer inquiries within 2 business days. Acknowledge complaints even if resolution requires more time. Provide a direct phone number or email monitored by a person who can make decisions. Do not use automated systems that prevent consumers from reaching a human representative. When a consumer dispute arises, contact CPA's Business Response Unit before the complaint escalates to regulatory referral.
Publish complete official rules before the promotion begins. Notify winners using at least two communication methods (mail plus phone or email). Allow a minimum 60-day claim window. Never require payment of any kind as a condition of receiving a prize. Fulfill all awarded prizes within 90 days of the claim deadline. Maintain records of all winner notifications and prize disbursements for at least 3 years.
Collect only the consumer information necessary for the transaction. Do not sell or share consumer data with third parties without explicit, informed consent. Comply with applicable state privacy laws including CCPA, Virginia CDPA, and Colorado Privacy Act. Notify consumers of any data breach within 30 days. Provide a clear, accessible mechanism for consumers to request deletion of their data.
The CPA Business Portal allows companies to view complaints filed against them, submit responses, track resolution status, and manage their CPA Verified profile. Access is provided to businesses that have received a CPA complaint notification or have enrolled in the Verified Business Program.
Your login credentials were included in the complaint notification letter mailed to your business. If you have not received a notification or need access to the portal, contact our Business Response Unit at 1-800-555-1234 ext. 2.
The Consumer Protection Agency maintains a database of all complaints filed with our office and uses this data to generate company-level responsiveness ratings. These ratings are intended to inform consumers about a company's track record of addressing complaints, not to serve as an endorsement or condemnation of any business.
Response rate. The percentage of CPA complaints to which the company submitted a written response within the 14-day response window. This is the most heavily weighted factor.
Resolution rate. The percentage of complaints that reached a resolution satisfactory to the consumer, whether through full remedy, partial remedy, or mutually agreed compromise.
Response timeliness. The average number of days between CPA notification and the company's initial response. Companies that respond within 7 days score higher than those that respond on day 14.
Complaint volume relative to size. The number of complaints filed against the company, adjusted for the company's estimated customer base and transaction volume. A company with 10 complaints and 1 million customers is rated differently than a company with 10 complaints and 100 customers.
Pattern analysis. Whether complaints reveal a pattern of similar issues (e.g., repeated billing disputes, consistent failure to honor warranties) or appear to be isolated incidents.
Regulatory actions. Whether the company has been the subject of enforcement actions by the FTC, CFPB, state attorneys general, or other regulatory bodies related to consumer protection violations.
Excellent. 95%+ response rate, 80%+ resolution rate, no identified patterns of misconduct, no regulatory actions.
Good. 85–94% response rate, 65–79% resolution rate, minor or isolated complaint patterns.
Fair. 70–84% response rate, 50–64% resolution rate, or emerging patterns of similar complaints.
Poor. Below 70% response rate, below 50% resolution rate, documented patterns of misconduct, or pending regulatory actions.
Unrated. Fewer than 3 complaints filed in the past 36 months. Insufficient data to generate a meaningful rating.
Ratings are recalculated quarterly. Businesses may request a review of their rating by contacting CPA with documentation of corrective actions taken. CPA does not accept payment to alter or remove ratings.
The Consumer Protection Agency's Advisory Board is composed of professionals with backgrounds in consumer law, regulatory affairs, nonprofit management, and public policy. Board members serve in a voluntary advisory capacity and provide guidance on CPA's strategic priorities, complaint resolution policies, and regulatory partnerships.
Chair
Former Assistant Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission (1998–2012). Adjunct Professor of Consumer Protection Law, Georgetown University Law Center.
Vice Chair
Professor of Public Policy, Howard University. Former Senior Advisor, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Specialist in financial services regulation and elder consumer protection.
Secretary
Executive Director, National Consumer Dispute Resolution Center (2005–2020). Expert in alternative dispute resolution and complaint mediation program design.
Treasurer
CPA, Partner (retired), Grant Thornton LLP. 30 years of nonprofit financial management and audit experience. Board member, National Council of Nonprofits.
Member
Former Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection, Commonwealth of Virginia (2003–2016). Private practice in consumer rights litigation.
Member
Former Director of Operations, Council of Better Business Bureaus (2008–2018). Consultant to state consumer protection offices on complaint processing systems and database design.
Member
Founding Director, Consumer Rights Coalition (1996–2015). National advocate for Spanish-language consumer education and immigrant consumer protection.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Consumer Protection Agency publishes annual reports detailing our financial position, complaint intake and resolution statistics, regulatory partnerships, and organizational priorities. These reports are available to the public in accordance with our commitment to transparency and accountability.
Total complaints received: 18,420. Claims resolved: 16,890 (91.7%). Consumer recoveries: $14.2 million. New regulatory partnerships established with 3 additional state attorneys general offices. Launch of enhanced online complaint filing system.
Download PDF →Total complaints received: 17,840. Claims resolved: 16,310 (91.4%). Consumer recoveries: $13.8 million. Sweepstakes and prize claims division expanded. Total cumulative recoveries surpassed $94 million milestone. Implementation of automated claim tracking system with real-time consumer status updates.
Download PDF →Total complaints received: 16,290. Claims resolved: 14,780 (90.7%). Consumer recoveries: $12.1 million. Launched elder consumer protection initiative in partnership with AARP and the National Council on Aging.
Download PDF →Annual reports from 2010–2022 are available upon request. Contact info@consumerpa.com or call 1-800-555-1234.
Last updated: January 1, 2026
The Consumer Protection Agency ("CPA," "we," "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of consumers who use our services. This policy describes what information we collect, why we collect it, and how we safeguard it.
When you file a complaint, we collect your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. We also collect the name of the company your complaint concerns, the nature of your complaint, and any supporting documentation you provide. When you use our website without filing a complaint, we collect standard web server logs including IP address, browser type, and pages visited. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising purposes.
We use your contact information to communicate with you about the status of your complaint and to forward your complaint to the named business for response. We share complaint data, including your name and the substance of your complaint, with the business you have filed against. We may share complaint data with government regulatory partners including the FTC, CFPB, and state attorneys general when complaints indicate potential violations of consumer protection law. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Complaint data is stored in encrypted databases with access restricted to authorized CPA staff. We conduct annual security reviews and maintain incident response procedures in compliance with applicable data breach notification laws.
You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, request correction of inaccurate information, or request deletion of your information (subject to our legal obligations to maintain complaint records). To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@consumerpa.com or call 1-800-555-1234.
Questions about this policy may be directed to: Consumer Protection Agency, Attn: Privacy Officer, 111 K Street NE, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20002, or privacy@consumerpa.com.
Last updated: January 1, 2026
By using this website or filing a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency, you agree to the following terms.
CPA provides consumer complaint mediation services at no charge to consumers. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or legal representation. Our mediation services are voluntary and non-binding. Filing a complaint with CPA does not constitute filing a lawsuit, initiating arbitration, or taking any legal action against the named business. CPA's involvement does not guarantee any particular outcome.
You agree that all information provided in your complaint is truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Filing a knowingly false complaint may result in the dismissal of your claim and referral to the appropriate authorities. CPA reserves the right to decline or close any complaint that we determine to be fraudulent, abusive, or outside our scope of services.
By filing a complaint, you authorize CPA to share the contents of your complaint, including your name and contact information, with the named business for the purpose of seeking a response and resolution. You also authorize CPA to share complaint data with government regulatory agencies when appropriate.
CPA provides its services on an "as is" basis. We make no warranties regarding the outcome of any complaint. CPA shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of our services, the actions or inactions of any business named in a complaint, or any decision made by a consumer based on information provided by CPA.
CPA reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of our website or services after any modification constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
The Consumer Protection Agency is committed to ensuring that our website and services are accessible to all consumers, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, as published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Our website is designed with clear navigation and consistent page structure. We use sufficient color contrast ratios for text readability. Form fields include descriptive labels. All functionality is accessible via keyboard navigation. We provide text alternatives for non-text content. Our consumer hotline (1-800-555-1234) is available for individuals who require assistance filing a complaint or checking claim status by phone.
Consumers who are unable to use the online complaint form may file a complaint by calling 1-800-555-1234 (Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm EST) or by mailing a written complaint to: Consumer Protection Agency, 111 K Street NE, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20002. TTY services are available through the Federal Relay Service at 7-1-1.
If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our website, please contact us at accessibility@consumerpa.com or call 1-800-555-1234. We take all accessibility feedback seriously and will work to address any reported issues promptly.