We’re here to help you.

DFPI is committed to helping you stay
informed and make smart financial choices.

Scroll through the categories below to connect with agencies, departments, and other resources related to your financial topic.

SUBMIT A COMPLAINT

If you’ve been the victim of a financial scam or unlawful action, submit a complaint with state and federal regulators.

Start with the DFPI if it’s regarding one of the following:

  • Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO)
  • California Banks (National banks, such as Chase or Wells Fargo are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency)
  • 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)
  • Digital Currency
  • 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

 

Submit a complaint online or call (866) 275-2677

 

You can also submit complaints to the following federal agencies:

VERIFY LICENSES & SEARCH FOR ENFORCEMENTS

Check our provider verification page to see if a business or financial professional is licensed or registered with the DFPI. We register/license a variety of entities including, but not limited to:

  • Insurance providers
  • Student loan borrowers’ services / Consolidation services
  • Debt collection companies
  • Payday/Installation loan lenders
  • Credit repair and counseling companies
  • Home loan lenders / refinancing companies
  • Real estate agents
  • Financial planners / advisors

You can also search for current enforcements, actions, orders and administrative hearings to see if a business/person has had any recent actions taken against them due to questionable practices.

INVESTMENT SAFETY

Investing can be a smart choice for some, but it can also be risky. Check with federal and state regulators to find out about frauds, scams, and their other areas of jurisdiction.

  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its related sites:
  • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): This is a government-authorized not-for-profit organization that oversees U.S. broker-dealers.
    • Resources for Investors: Plain language explanations for key investing concepts, different types of investments and investment professionals, and questions to ask. FINRA also provides tools and calculators to help you make informed financial decisions
    • FINRA BrokerCheck®: A free tool to research the background and experience of securities brokers, financial advisers, and firms that tells you instantly whether they are registered, as required by law, to sell securities. Visit their website or call 1-800-289-9999.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): The CFPB works to ensure you’re treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions. Learn about regulation of consumer financial products at the national level to help make informed decisions. Visit their website or call 1-855-411-2372.
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)’s BankFind Suite: Allows you to locate current and former FDIC-insured banking institutions by name, FDIC certificate number, website and/or by location.
    • The Suite also allows a user to follow the history and financial trends of an individual institution, group of institutions, or the industry as a whole.

CRYPTO ASSETS

Crypto assets are not regulated and overseen to the same extent as U.S. dollars, but there are state and federal agencies that monitor them. Check out these resources for more information.

Crypto asset monitoring resources:

  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Crypto Assets and Cyber Enforcement Actions: Issues crypto asset alerts, updates on investigations, and any federal charges filed against businesses or entities.
  • Commodities and Futures Trading Commission’s Digital Assets: Monitors the potential effects crypto asset scams can have on the futures and commodities industry; posts consumer advisories and more.
  • Federal Trade Commission’s Cryptocurrency Consumer Advice: Get the latest alerts and consumer advice articles from the agency.
  • U.S Treasury’s FinCEN MSB Registrant Search: The division of the U.S. Treasury responsible for the regulation of entities that have registered as Money Services Businesses (MSB). That includes any person doing business, whether on a regular basis or as an organized business concern, in one or more of the following capacities:
    1. Currency dealer or exchanger
    2. Check casher
    3. Issuer of traveler’s checks, money orders, or stored value
    4. Seller or redeemer of traveler’s checks, money orders, or stored value
    5. Money transmitter
    6. U.S. Postal Service

CHARITY AND IRS SCAMS

Learn about these common scams and how tom.

  • Charity Scams:
  • IRS Scams:
    NOTE: If you owe federal taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit IRS.gov to discuss your options. The IRS will not call, email, or text to collect payment on taxes.

    • Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA): If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be an IRS agent or suspect a tax scam or fraud is taking place, report it to TIGTA. Visit their website or call 1-800-366-4484.

KNOW YOUR FINANCIAL RISKS

Find out which products, programs, and services pose the most benefit—or risk—to your financial situation.

  • Free Credit Repair and Counseling Services:
    NOTE: If you need credit counseling, many nonprofit agencies offer it for free.

    • Credit.org: An independent nonprofit financial counseling agency providing free credit and debt counseling. Visit their website or call 1-800-431-8157.
    • The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): A nonprofit organization that provides access to a large nonprofit network of certified counselors. Visit their website or call 1-800-388-2227.
    • ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions (a division of Money Management International, Inc.): Offers free online credit counseling sessions with certified counselors. Visit their website or call 1-800-750-2227.
  • Assistance With Banks and Financial Institutions:
    • California State-Chartered Banks and Credit Unions: Contact the DFPI at 1-866-275-2677 or email: DFPI@dfpi.ca.gov.
    • Federal Financial Institution Regulators:

KNOW YOUR FINANCIAL RIGHTS

Stay informed on your rights as a California consumer and how to protect yourself from unfair practices.

FOR HOME BUYERS AND OWNERS

Learn about the resources available to Californians, no matter what stage of homeownership you’re in.

SAFEGUARDING PERSONAL INFORMATION

Get resources to help stay safe from cyber criminals, identity theft, and unwanted contacts. Plus, find out how to monitor your credit.

  • Lost or Stolen Mail
    • U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Report lost or stolen mail or suspected scams to the U.S. Postal Inspector. Visit their website or call 877-876-2455.
      • Report Mail Related Crime: The Postal Inspection Service prosecutes any scheme that uses the U.S. Mail to obtain money or something of value by offering a product, service, or investment that intentionally does not live up to its claim.
  • Register for Do Not Call Lists
    • FTC Unwanted Emails, Text, and Spam: Offers help with unwanted contacts. Visit their website or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
    • National Do Not Call Registry: Gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls. Register your home phone or cell number online or by phone for free.
      • Note: You can register by phone by calling 1-888- 382-1222 from the phone number you want to register.
    • OptOut Prescreen: The official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website that accepts and processes requests from consumers to opt-in or opt-out of pre-approved credit and insurance offers. Visit their website or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT
    • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Call Blocking: Provides tips on working with your mobile provider to block unwanted calls.
    • DMchoice: A non-profit online service tool offered through the ANA (Association of National Advertisers) that helps consumers express their marketing preferences to participating companies and organizations.
      • Note: This service is meant to reduce the overall volume of prospect promotional offers received. It will not eliminate all promotional mail.
  • Report Identity Theft
  • Credit Monitoring

IDENTIFYING ELDER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Report serious issues like elder abuse and financial exploitation, plus find additional resources for older adults.

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Last updated: Jul 18, 2024 @ 2:28 pm