Come February, the Credit Card Act of 2009 will go into effect and I’m getting asked the same questions over and over – How do I complain about my Credit Card company?
Here are the facts: No one regulatory agency exists to monitor behavior and address consumer complaints, so you need to complain or report a violation to the following locations, compliments of Credit Cards.com.
The Federal Reserve oversees some state banks and all banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System.
Toll Free: 1-888-851-1920
TTY: 877-766-8533
Fax: 877-888-2520
Mail: Federal Reserve Consumer Help
PO Box 1200
Minneapolis, MN 55480
Online complaint form: http://www.federalreserveconsumerhelp.gov/?District=13
If the credit card company in question has the word “national” (or the initials “N.A.”) in its name, contact the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Toll Free: 800-613-6743
TDD Number: 713-658-0340
Fax: 713-336-4301
Mail: Customer Assistance Group,
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3450
Houston, TX 77010
Online complaint form: https://appsec.helpwithmybank.gov/olcc_form/
If you are dealing with a credit union with the word “federal” in its name, or if the credit union is located in Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, or D.C., contact the National Credit Union Administration at 1-800-755-1030.
For state-chartered credit unions not located in Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, or D.C., and for state-chartered banks, click here for the appropriate state regulatory agency.
Thrifts, savings, loan associations, and federally chartered savings banks are regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervisors.
Toll Free: 800-842-6929
TTY: 800-877-8339
Fax: 202-906-7342
Mail: Office of Thrift Supervision
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Email: consumer.complaint@ots.treas.gov
Regardless of which banking regulator you contact, be sure to keep records. Start by contacting the credit card issuer directly. Record the person’s name, date of the call, and the details of the call. Keep asking to speak with a supervisor until you have exhausted your resources at the credit card company. With your detailed notes in hand, contact the appropriate banking regulator and explain your problem. Per the Credit Card Act of 2009, keeping good records will help expedite a resolution.
The Federal Reserve is continuing to hone in on unfair practices with plastic money, but in my opinion they are not going far enough – we need Gift Cards with no fees. After passing the Credit CARD Act earlier this year, it has now proposed rules that would “restrict the fees and expiration dates that may apply to gift cards,” said a press release last week. Under the pending rules, gift card terms and conditions would be required to be stated clearly.
