Consumer Resources
Consumer Complaints: General Resources
Industries & Professions Regulated by Colorado--Complaints
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
303-894-7855
www.colorado.gov/dora
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/contact-dora
Resources for Industries & Services NOT Regulated by Colorado--Complaints
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/node/100206
Colorado Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit: 800-222-4444
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office maintains an extensive consumer resource guide, including where and how to file consumer complaints, on a variety of topics at www.stopfraudcolorado.gov.
Report Scams & Frauds
U.S. Government
www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
855-411-2372
www.consumerfinance.gov/
Handles financial services complaints, protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and takes action against companies that break the law; helps consumers connect with financial companies to get direct responses about problems with mortgages, student loans, payday loans, debt collection, credit reports, and other financial products and services. Also creates tools, answer common questions, and provide tips that help consumers navigate their financial choices and shop for the deal that works best for them.
Consumer Finance FAQs
www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb
To file a problem or complaint about a financial product or service
www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
877-382-4357
www.consumer.ftc.gov
Complaints about ID theft; scams & rip offs; unwanted telemarketing, text or spam; internet services, online shopping or computers; education; jobs; making money; credit & debt plans & services; autos: finance, rent, lease, title loans, parts & services, advertising; satellite and cable tv providers; magazine subscriptions; grants or scholarships; health & fitness products, plans & services; charitable solicitations; travel, vacation or timeshares; fraudulent immigration or tax services, including green card lotteries and notaries, or other unfair business practices may be submitted to www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
National Consumers League—Complaints & Information
www.fraud.org
Better Business Bureau
303-758-2100
www.bbb.org/denver/
www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started
Internet Fraud/Scams
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report instances of Internet-based fraud to the FBI at
www.IC3.gov
or
www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/on-the-internet
U.S. Government Information
844-872-4681
www.usa.gov
Additional General Consumer Information Resources
Consumer Action Handbook, Consumer Protection Handbook, and other consumer protection federal publications:
Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo
https://publications.usa.gov/
https://pueblo.gpo.gov/Publications/PuebloPubs.php
Consumer Information Catalogue
1-888-8 PUEBLO
Or order on line at: www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Senior Law Handbook
Colorado Bar Association
View the handbook online, or order your own copy at:
www.cobar.org/seniorlawhandbook
Consumer Complaints & Resources - Specific Topics
Accountant Registration & Complaints
Colorado State Board of Accountancy
303-894-7800
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Accountancy
Attorney Registration & Complaints
Attorney Regulation Counsel—Colorado Supreme Court
303-457-5800
www.coloradosupremecourt.com
Automobile Dealers/Colorado Lemon Law
Colorado Department of Revenue
303-205-5604 or 5476
www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/consumers-and-consumer-protection-auto-industry-division
www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/filing-complaint-auto-industry-division
Auto Insurance Issues
Colorado Division of Insurance
303-894-7499
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/property-and-liability-insurance
Auto Warranty Issues
For alternative dispute resolution of auto warranty disputes:
Better Business Bureau
800-955-5100
www.bbb.org/autoline
Business Reliability Reports
To check on a business, contact:
Colorado Secretary of State
303-894-2200, press 2
www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/businessHOME.html
Better Business Bureau
303-758-2100
www.bbb.org/denver/accredited-business-directory
Charity Reliability Reports
To check on a charity, contact:
Colorado Secretary of State
303-894-2200, press 2
https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/charities/charitableHome.html
Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check
Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org/denver/Charity-Reviews
National Charities
Collection Agency Complaints
Colorado Attorney General’s Office
720-508-6020
www.coag.gov/car/complaint
Credit Card Offers Opt Out Program
To stop credit card companies from sending you pre-approved and unsolicited applications
888-567-8688
www.optoutprescreen.com
Credit Reporting Agencies
If you dispute credit report information, credit bureaus must resolve your dispute within 30 days and send you written notice of the results of the investigation, including a copy of the credit report, if it has changed.
Request a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three credit reporting agencies (Social Security number will be required to obtain these reports). There are many websites that promise free credit reports. However, the best, truly free site is www.annualcreditreport.com, 877-322-8228.
Or mail a copy of the Annual Credit Request Form (found at www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0093-annual-report-request-form.pdf) to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
You may also directly contact each of the major consumer reporting agencies below to request a free annual copy of your credit report.
Equifax
800-525-6285
P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
www.equifax.com
Experian
888-397-3742
P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com
Trans Union
800-680-7289
P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
www.transunion.com
Credit Reporting Complaints
Federal Trade Commission
877-382-4357
www.ftc.gov
District Attorneys/Denver Metro Area—Consumer Complaints
Adams/Broomfield County, 17th Judicial District
Consumer Info line: 303-835-5633
Arapahoe/ Douglas/ Elbert/ Lincoln County, 18th Judicial District
Fraud Assistance Line: 720-874-8547
Boulder County, 20th Judicial District
Consumer Protection Division: 303-441-3700
Jefferson/Gilpin County, 1st Judicial District
Fraud Hotline: 303-271-6800
Economic Crime Unit: 303-271-6931
Homeowner Insurance Issues
Colorado Division of Insurance
303-894-7499
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/property-and-liability-insurance
Insurance Provider Verification & Complaints
To verify that an insurance policy and/or agent is approved for sale in Colorado, or to register complaints against an agent:
Colorado Division of Insurance:
303-894-7490
www.colorado.gov/dora/division-insurance
Investment/Securities Brokers & Offers
To check investment offers, brokers and companies:
Colorado Division of Securities
303-894-2320
www.colorado.gov/dora/division-securities
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
(Regulates public offerings of securities)
1-800-SEC-0330
www.sec.gov
www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml
Check out Brokers
https://www.sec.gov/investor
Seniors: Protect Yourself Against Investment Fraud Handbook
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
To order: 1-800-732-0330
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
(Regulates stock brokers)
301-590-6500
http://www.finra.org
Broker/Advisor/Firm Check
800-289-9999
www.brokercheck.finra.org
IRS—Tax/Identity Fraud
To verify the authenticity of an IRS notice: 800-829-1040
If you suspect that someone is using your Social Security number and personal identification to fraudulently file a tax return, or to report tax fraud, call the IRS Fraud Hotline: 800-829-0433
www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-you-report-suspected-tax-fraud-activity
To report IRS-related phishing and online scams, call the IRS Fraud Hotline: 800-829-0433
https://www.irs.gov/uac/report-phishing
If identity theft has caused problems with the IRS
IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit: 800-908-4490
www.irs.gov/individuals/identity-protection
www.irs.gov/individuals/how-irs-id-theft-victim-assistance-works
Junk Mail/Email/Phone Calls
Data & Marketing Association
To opt out of receiving junk mail commercial mailings, telemarketing, and e-mails, go to:
www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office advises, “While Colorado law regulates the return of security deposits and requires the return of security deposits within one month after the lease has been terminated in absence of cause or unless specified in the lease, most landlord/tenant issues involve private contractual disputes.”
For assistance in resolving a landlord/tenant dispute:
Colorado Housing Connects Hotline
844-926-6632
Colorado Legal Services/Legal Aid (low income) (civil)
303-837-1313
www.coloradolegalservices.org
Legal Assistance
Colorado Bar Association—Referrals (civil & criminal)
303-860-1115
www.cobar.org/contact
Colorado Public Defender’s Office—Denver (criminal)
303-620-4999
www.coloradodefenders.us/information/applying-for-a-public-defender/
Colorado Legal Services/Legal Aid (low income) (civil)
303-837-1313
www.coloradolegalservices.org
Pro Se Resource Center—Denver County Court (civil)
Room 280 A, Denver City & County Building
720-865-8440
Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center
Provides free legal assistance to victims of violent crime to help enforce their rights under the Victims’ Rights Act
303-295-2001
www.rmvictimlaw.org
LINC (Legal Information Network of Colorado)
Provides confidential, no-cost legal information for victims of crime in the Denver Metro area.
720-583-2929 (Help Line)
www.coloradolinc.org
Disability Law Colorado-Denver Office (civil)
303-722-0300 or 1-800-288-1376
www.disability/lawco.org
University of Denver Student Law Office (misdemeanor offenses only)
303-871-6140
Lending Complaints
Colorado Attorney General’s Office
800-222-4444
www.stopfraudcolorado.gov
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
877-382-4357
www.ftc.gov
Mail Fraud
U.S. Postal Inspectors Service (USPIS)
877-876-2455
www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov
Mortgage & Foreclosure Complaints
Colorado Foreclosure Hotline
877-601-4673
Moving & Storage Company Complaints
Colorado Public Utilities Commission (operating within Colorado only)
303-894-2000 or 800-456-0858
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/trans
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
888-368-7238
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/resources-for-consumers
No Call Lists
Colorado No Call List—Register Phone Numbers
888-249-9097
www.coloradonocall.com
Complaints
800-309-7041
www.coloradonocall.com (click on "Complaints”)
National Do Not Call List—Register Phone Numbers/File Complaints
888-382-1222
www.donotcall.gov
Nursing Home/Long-term Care Resident Abuse
People living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities need support, protection and advocacy. The DRCOG Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is designed to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents living in assisted living residences and nursing homes. It is a federally mandated free advocacy service. For more information about Colorado’s ombudsman program, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/long-term-care-ombudsman
Contact the Denver area Ombudsman at 303-455-1000.
See also Disability Law Colorado/Ombudsman at www.disabilitylawco.org/colorado-long-term-care-ombudsman
Social Security Fraud
For general assistance and questions, call:
800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov
To report lost or stolen Social Security numbers and Social Security fraud:
800-269-0271
www.ssa.gov/fraudreport/oig/public_fraud_reporting/form.htm
Telemarketing Complaints--Federal
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
877-382-4357
www.ftc.gov
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Telecom (phone, tv, internet, email) billing or service issues
888-225-5322
www.fcc.gov
www.consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
Utilities: Electric, Natural Gas, Landline Telephone, Water, Steam, Transportation Services
If unable to resolve a utility complaint with the local service provider, contact the Colorado Public Utilities Commission call 303-894-2070 or
email dora_PUC-complaints@state.co.us
www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/file-consumer-complaint
Wage Claims
Colorado Department of Labor & Employment
303-318-8441
www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/complaint-forms