File a Complaint The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) encourages financial services consumers to submit their complaints if they believe a DFPI licensee or registrant has violated state law or acted improperly, or they believe a company or person is conducting unlicensed or unregistered activity that falls within the DFPI’s jurisdiction. 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 relies on your complaints to help us protect consumers, borrowers, investors, and to obtain redress for them when victimized by unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business practices. 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; order refunds; 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. In the event we determine that your complaint would be better addressed by another agency, we will help direct you to the proper regulatory or law enforcement agency. Search for DFPI Licensees Complaint Filing Options: Online – For a faster response, we recommend filing online. Mail – Download the complaint form, fill it out and mail it to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation via U.S. Mail. Submit your complaint if it’s regarding one of the following: Banks Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO) Credit Unions Foreign (Other Nation) Banks Foreign (Other State) Banks Industrial Banks Local Agency Security Program (LASP) Money Transmitters Premium Finance Companies Trust Companies and Departments California Finance Lenders California Residential Mortgage Lenders Capital Access Companies Check Sellers, Bill Payers and Proraters Deferred Deposit Transactions (Commonly known as Payday Loans) Escrow Agents/ Escrow Laws Franchises Investment Advisers Mortgage Loan Originators Securities Broker Dealers Student Loan Servicing PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Provider File a Complaint Online Check Status File a PACE Complaint File a Complaint by Mail To submit a complaint by mail, download, print, and fill out any the appropriate forms: 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) And mail to: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Attn: Consumer Services 2101 Arena Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95834 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. i 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 Key Consumer Links Consumer Alerts Consumer Advisories Search for DFPI Licensees Licensees and Industries Regulated by the DFPI Actions, Orders and Administrative Hearing Decisions File a complaint Submit a Public Records Request News & Info LinksNews Newsroom Press Releases Monthly Bulletins Important Notices Information DFPI Forms Resources Last updated: Oct 23, 2020 @ 4:21 pm
