(Language interpretation services are available upon request)

 

 

 

Quick Links:

Print Complaint Form | Online Complaint Form | Online Price-Gouging Complaint Form | Satisfaction Survey

 

 

 

If you have a consumer complaint you must contact the business first!

 

Try talking to a manager. Most problems are resolved at this level. If you are still not satisfied, try contacting the owner of the business or the business’s corporate headquarters. If you are still not satisfied after contacting the business, then you may file a complaint with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs.

 

What is the first step to filing a complaint?

 

Follow these four steps to help prevent delays in processing your complaint:

 

1. The consumer must live in Tennessee OR the business must be located in Tennessee.
2. Answer all questions on the complaint form. Briefly describe your complaint and include all-important facts. Either type or print clearly and legibly when using the printable complaint form.
3. Provide copies of any documents that would support your complaint. DO NOT mail original documents; these will not be returned.
4. Don't forget to date and sign the complaint form before faxing, mailing or submitting over the internet.

 

Will you notify me when you receive my complaint?

 

After we receive your complaint form, it takes about two weeks to fully set up your file. We will then notify you through the mail, by postcard, when your file has been created. At that time your complaint will be assigned to a Specialist.

 

How long will it be before I hear anything after that?

 

The Specialist who has been assigned to your case will send a copy of your complaint to the business. The business will be given fifteen (15) business days to respond to this office.

 

What if the business does not respond to my complaint?

 

The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977 with the intent of enforcing the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and assisting consumers who have suffered loss as a result of deceptive business practices. If a business does not respond, a second notice is given before placing this business on our Buyer Beware List. Our mediation process relies on the voluntary cooperation of both the consumer as well as the business.

 

May I call for an update on my complaint?

 

In an effort to keep your complaint file current, please email your questions and additional documentation to the Consumer Protection Specialist assigned to your complaint. Please visit our Consumer Staff page to locate your Specialist's email address.  You can email them directly by clicking on their name.  Please list your name and file number in the subject field of the email.

 

Due to our call volume, it may take you longer to receive a response by phone than by email as it is sent directly to your Consumer Protection Specialist.

 

What happens next?

 

When the business does reply, we will send you a copy of their response.

 

What if I am not satisfied with the response I received from the business?

 

You may send a written notification to the specialist handling your case requesting further mediation. The Specialist will determine on a case by case basis what further action, if any, the Division may take to help resolve the dispute.

 

What if I am still not satisfied?

 

This Division, by law, cannot force a business to satisfy your complaint. The mediation process that we provide relies on the voluntary cooperation of both the consumer and the business.

 

Should I contact another Government Agency?

 

Our Agency cooperates and works closely with other government agencies. If appropriate, we will forward your complaint to another agency for assistance. If your complaint is referred to another agency, we will advise you of the referral. In any event, we will keep your complaint on file so that we can monitor the complaint history.

 

Formal Actions:

 

Formal actions are sometimes brought against a business when a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act has occurred. Our office can request that formal actions be brought, through the Attorney General's office. We file these actions primarily to protect the public interest. Whether formal actions are brought depends on several factors and might not recover any money for the consumers. For example: A company facing a lawsuit may go out of business and the owners may not be found, or they may not be held legally responsible by a court of law. In these examples, and other less frequent examples, we may request formal actions to stop practices even though we know we will not be able to recover any money for consumers.

 

Legal Advice:

 

We cannot act as your private attorney. Our specialists are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. If you feel that you need legal advice, you will have to turn to another source such as a private attorney, the Legal Aid Society, or other organizations. Visit the Tennessee Bar Association to learn how to find a lawyer and to see if you qualify for a free attorney or other legal aid.

 

Notice:

 

By filing a complaint, you are advising that you have read and understand the complaint process and are ready to fill out the Complaint Form with the appropriate documentation that is required.

 

File Here:

 

Printable Complaint Form - You will be given the option of mailing or faxing this to our Division.

On-line Complaint Form - This form does not allow you to attach electronic files.  You will be contacted by the Consumer Protection Specialist assigned to your case if further documentation is required.

On-line Price-Gouging Complaint Form - This form is specific to suspected price gouging activities. This form does not allow you to attach electronic files.  You will be contacted by the Consumer Protection Specialist assigned to your case if further documentation is required.