Submit a Complaint - DFPI
Source: https://dfpi.ca.gov/submit-a-complaint
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:28
Submit a Complaint - DFPI
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Submit a Complaint
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Submit a Complaint
Submit a complaint if you believe a financial institution or financial service provider has violated the law or acted improperly, or if you believe a company or person is conducting unlicensed or unregistered financial service activity that falls within the DFPI’s jurisdiction.
Learn more about the industries DFPI regulates
.
t
Did You Know?
The DFPI is committed to serving all California residents in their preferred language utilizing a translation service with more than 240 languages.
Submit Online (Recommended)
Application received in: 5 min
Submit a complaint / upload documents
Submit by Mail
Application received in 1–5 days
SUBMIT A COMPLAINT BY MAIL
Z
Search Regulated Entities
DFPI provides regulation and oversight for an array of financial services, products, and professionals.
Search Regulated Entities by Industry
r
Check the Complaint Status
Check status of your complaint if your complaint number format is:
CNXXXXXXX
Complaint - XXXXX
Process for submitting a complaint by mail
1. Download, print, and complete the appropriate form:
Complaint Form – for use on a DFPI licensee (PDF)
Complaint Form – Spanish (Formulario para quejas del consumidor al DFPI) (PDF)
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Complaint Form (PDF)
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Complaint form – Spanish (Formulario de Quejas del Consumidor) (PDF)
2. Mail the completed form to:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Attn: Consumer Services
651 Bannon Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
3. The Department will provide a letter or email acknowledging receipt of your complaint and a description of the next steps in the complaint process.
If you need assistance with the complaint form, please call 1-866-275-2677.
Information and frequently asked questions related to the DFPI complaint process
Which financial products and services can I submit a complaint about?
Submit your complaint if it’s regarding one of the following:
Banks (Please note that national banks such as Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America are handled by the
Office of the Comptroller
, which can be reached at 1-800-613-6743).
Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO)
California Finance Lenders
California Residential Mortgage Lenders
Capital Access Companies
Check Cashing Stores
Check Sellers, Bill Payers and Proraters
Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies/Credit Reporting Agencies
Credit Products
Credit Repair and Consumer Credit Agencies
Credit Unions
Debt Collectors
Debt Relief Providers
Deferred Deposit Transactions (Commonly known as Payday Loans)
Cryptocurrency
Escrow Agents/ Escrow Laws
Foreclosure Counseling/Prevention
Foreign (Other Nation or Other State) Banks
Franchises
Franchise Brokers
Industrial Banks
Investment Advisers
Local Agency Security Program (LASP)
Money Transmitters
Mortgage Loan Originators
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Provider
Premium Finance Companies
Private Student Loans (including those from for-profit schools)
Rent-to-own Contractors
Securities Broker Dealers
Student Loan Servicing
Trust Companies and Departments
Search Regulated Entities
Should I submit a complaint with DFPI if I am trying to seek resolution elsewhere?
The DFPI relies on your complaints to help us protect consumers, borrowers, and investors. You should always file your complaint with the DFPI, regardless of whether you are trying to resolve your dispute through another forum or process.
The DFPI evaluates and reviews complaints and takes appropriate action when it finds violations of the laws and regulations we administer. Enforcement actions may include administrative orders to: stop violations of laws; deny, suspend or revoke licenses; take possession of licensees; suspend or bar individuals from participating in a regulated industry; and levy penalties. The DFPI also can file civil actions to stop violations of the laws, appoint receivers over companies and obtain restitution for consumers and penalties against violators.
DFPI licensees include state-licensed banks and credit unions, money transmitters, issuers of payment instruments and travelers’ checks, and premium finance companies. Additionally, the Department licenses and regulates a variety of financial businesses, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, deferred deposit (commonly known as payday loans) and certain fiduciaries and lenders. The Department regulates the offer and sale of securities, franchises and off-exchange commodities. For the complete list, see the
Department’s page about Licensees and Regulated Industries
. The DFPI also receives complaints regarding the California Fair Lending Law for investigation.
Please note: We do not regulate national banks including, but not limited to: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Union Bank, and Citibank. These institutions are handled by the
Office of the Comptroller
which can be reached at 1-800-613-6743.
If we determine that your complaint would be better addressed by another regulatory or law enforcement agency, we will help direct you to it.
What steps should I take before submitting a complaint?
Has your complaint been submitted to the company directly? Companies can often address concerns or issues specific to your situation and related to the financial products or services they offer.
What information should I include in my submitted complaint?
We ask that you please include the key facts regarding the complaint in your own words. Include pertinent dates, amounts, and correspondence you’ve had with the company. Include any documentation that supports the facts being presented such as account statements and communications with the company.
**SUBMIT A COMPLAINT/UPLOAD DOCUMENTS **
Important Information on DFPI Complaint Process
We facilitate communication between consumers and financial institutions. Complaint unit staff do not act as an advocate for either party, but the DFPI regularly reviews complaints to assess whether further action is appropriate through the DFPI’s enforcement and examination functions.
We do not act as a court of law or as a lawyer on your behalf.
We cannot provide legal advice.
We do not resolve factual disputes or disagreements over the interpretation of contracts.
If the circumstances of your complaint make it advisable to consult an attorney, the
California Courts Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
website provides information you may find useful.
Notice Required Under State Law
Your Privacy
Skip to Main Content
Home
Submit a Complaint
Share this page:
Submit a Complaint
Submit a complaint if you believe a financial institution or financial service provider has violated the law or acted improperly, or if you believe a company or person is conducting unlicensed or unregistered financial service activity that falls within the DFPI’s jurisdiction.
Learn more about the industries DFPI regulates
.
t
Did You Know?
The DFPI is committed to serving all California residents in their preferred language utilizing a translation service with more than 240 languages.
Submit Online (Recommended)
Application received in: 5 min
Submit a complaint / upload documents
Submit by Mail
Application received in 1–5 days
SUBMIT A COMPLAINT BY MAIL
Z
Search Regulated Entities
DFPI provides regulation and oversight for an array of financial services, products, and professionals.
Search Regulated Entities by Industry
r
Check the Complaint Status
Check status of your complaint if your complaint number format is:
CNXXXXXXX
Complaint - XXXXX
Process for submitting a complaint by mail
1. Download, print, and complete the appropriate form:
Complaint Form – for use on a DFPI licensee (PDF)
Complaint Form – Spanish (Formulario para quejas del consumidor al DFPI) (PDF)
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Complaint Form (PDF)
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Complaint form – Spanish (Formulario de Quejas del Consumidor) (PDF)
2. Mail the completed form to:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Attn: Consumer Services
651 Bannon Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
3. The Department will provide a letter or email acknowledging receipt of your complaint and a description of the next steps in the complaint process.
If you need assistance with the complaint form, please call 1-866-275-2677.
Information and frequently asked questions related to the DFPI complaint process
Which financial products and services can I submit a complaint about?
Submit your complaint if it’s regarding one of the following:
Banks (Please note that national banks such as Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America are handled by the
Office of the Comptroller
, which can be reached at 1-800-613-6743).
Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO)
California Finance Lenders
California Residential Mortgage Lenders
Capital Access Companies
Check Cashing Stores
Check Sellers, Bill Payers and Proraters
Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies/Credit Reporting Agencies
Credit Products
Credit Repair and Consumer Credit Agencies
Credit Unions
Debt Collectors
Debt Relief Providers
Deferred Deposit Transactions (Commonly known as Payday Loans)
Cryptocurrency
Escrow Agents/ Escrow Laws
Foreclosure Counseling/Prevention
Foreign (Other Nation or Other State) Banks
Franchises
Franchise Brokers
Industrial Banks
Investment Advisers
Local Agency Security Program (LASP)
Money Transmitters
Mortgage Loan Originators
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Provider
Premium Finance Companies
Private Student Loans (including those from for-profit schools)
Rent-to-own Contractors
Securities Broker Dealers
Student Loan Servicing
Trust Companies and Departments
Search Regulated Entities
Should I submit a complaint with DFPI if I am trying to seek resolution elsewhere?
The DFPI relies on your complaints to help us protect consumers, borrowers, and investors. You should always file your complaint with the DFPI, regardless of whether you are trying to resolve your dispute through another forum or process.
The DFPI evaluates and reviews complaints and takes appropriate action when it finds violations of the laws and regulations we administer. Enforcement actions may include administrative orders to: stop violations of laws; deny, suspend or revoke licenses; take possession of licensees; suspend or bar individuals from participating in a regulated industry; and levy penalties. The DFPI also can file civil actions to stop violations of the laws, appoint receivers over companies and obtain restitution for consumers and penalties against violators.
DFPI licensees include state-licensed banks and credit unions, money transmitters, issuers of payment instruments and travelers’ checks, and premium finance companies. Additionally, the Department licenses and regulates a variety of financial businesses, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, deferred deposit (commonly known as payday loans) and certain fiduciaries and lenders. The Department regulates the offer and sale of securities, franchises and off-exchange commodities. For the complete list, see the
Department’s page about Licensees and Regulated Industries
. The DFPI also receives complaints regarding the California Fair Lending Law for investigation.
Please note: We do not regulate national banks including, but not limited to: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Union Bank, and Citibank. These institutions are handled by the
Office of the Comptroller
which can be reached at 1-800-613-6743.
If we determine that your complaint would be better addressed by another regulatory or law enforcement agency, we will help direct you to it.
What steps should I take before submitting a complaint?
Has your complaint been submitted to the company directly? Companies can often address concerns or issues specific to your situation and related to the financial products or services they offer.
What information should I include in my submitted complaint?
We ask that you please include the key facts regarding the complaint in your own words. Include pertinent dates, amounts, and correspondence you’ve had with the company. Include any documentation that supports the facts being presented such as account statements and communications with the company.
**SUBMIT A COMPLAINT/UPLOAD DOCUMENTS **
Important Information on DFPI Complaint Process
We facilitate communication between consumers and financial institutions. Complaint unit staff do not act as an advocate for either party, but the DFPI regularly reviews complaints to assess whether further action is appropriate through the DFPI’s enforcement and examination functions.
We do not act as a court of law or as a lawyer on your behalf.
We cannot provide legal advice.
We do not resolve factual disputes or disagreements over the interpretation of contracts.
If the circumstances of your complaint make it advisable to consult an attorney, the
California Courts Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
website provides information you may find useful.
Notice Required Under State Law
Your Privacy