25 Common Consumer Complaints and Their Legal Resolutions

Product and Service Complaints

 Defective Products

Complaint: A product does not work as advertised or breaks shortly after purchase.

Resolution: Seek a repair, replacement, or refund under warranty laws or implied warranty protections.

False Advertising

Complaint: A product or service is not as described in advertisements.

Resolution: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or state consumer protection agency and request redress.

Bait-and-Switch Tactics

Also read:

Complaint: Advertised goods are not in stock, but a more expensive substitute is accepted.

Remedy: File with the FTC or attorney general’s office for further action.

Delivery of Goods Not Made

Complaint: Purchaser orders products online but the products are not delivered.

Remedy: Request a refund. Dispute with credit card. File with the FTC.

Lousy Services Provided

Complaint: Service person does shoddy work and fails to provide satisfactory service – example: leaving repairs incomplete and installing faulty service.

Resolution: Demand rectification or redress under contract law or local laws.

Billing and Payment Complaints

Unauthorized Charges

Complaint: A business charges a consumer without the latter’s consent.

Resolution: Contest the charge with your bank or credit card issuer, and inform the FTC about the issue

Hidden Fees

Complaint: An organization is charging undisclosed fees on your bills or services

Resolution: To obtain redress, sue for damages if legal; complaint to state consumer protection agencies; demand a refund

Complaint: A consumer is charged more than agreed for a product or service.

Resolution: Contact the company to resolve the discrepancy, and escalate to a regulatory body if necessary.

Refund Delays

Complaint: A business fails to issue a promised refund.

Resolution: File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or small claims court for resolution.

Debt Collection Harassment

Complaint: A debt collector uses abusive or deceptive tactics to collect a debt.

Resolution: File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Online and E-Commerce Complaints

Online Scams

Complaint: A fake website defrauds consumers by charging them for non-existent goods or services.

Resolution: Report to the FTC, dispute the charge with your bank, and warn others through online reviews.

Subscription Traps

Complaint: Consumers are charged for recurring subscriptions they never agreed to subscribe to.

Resolution: Cancel the subscription and demand a refund, citing unfair practices.

Counterfeit Products

Complaint: An online seller delivers counterfeit goods instead of authentic items.

Resolution: Report the seller to platforms like Amazon or eBay and file a complaint with the FTC.

Privacy Violations

Complaint: A company shares or misuses personal information without consent.

Resolution: File a complaint under privacy laws like HIPAA or the GDPR (for international cases).

Payment Fraud

Complaint: After online shopping, a person finds certain fraudulent transactions on their account.

Resolution: Raise a dispute with the bank regarding unauthorized charges made and report the case to the FTC.

Landlord-Tenant Disputes

Complaint: A landlord neglects to maintain safety or addresses specific maintenance concerns of a tenant.

Resolution: Raise a complaint at local housing authorities or seek legal remedy through landlord-tenant legislation.

Utility Overcharges

Complaint: Due to overcharging for electricity, water, or gas service.

Resolution: Ask the company for clarification and if not resolved, escalate to public utilities commission.

Cable/Internet Service Issues

Complaint: The service is not reliable or they did not deliver promised speeds.

Resolution: Complain to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or seek service credits.

Moving Company Fraud

Complaint: They demand more payment or are holding goods hostage.

Resolution: File a complaint to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and litigate.

Complaint: Contractors accept payment but do not finish the job.

Solution: File in small claims court or file a claim against the contractor’s license or bond.

Auto and Transportation Complaints

Defective Vehicles (Lemon Law)

Complaint: A new car has recurring problems that the dealer cannot fix.

Solution: Use state lemon laws to demand a replacement or refund.

Misrepresentation in Auto Sales

Complaint: A dealer hides defects or misrepresents the condition of a vehicle.

Resolution: File a claim under state fraud laws or arbitration if available.

Predatory Auto Loans

Complaint: A buyer is charged high-interest loans with terms not clearly disclosed.

Resolution: File a complaint with the CFPB and apply for refinancing or seek legal redress.

Unscrupulous Towing Practices

Complaint: A towing company overcharges or causes damage to a vehicle.

Resolution: File a complaint with local authorities or state consumer protection agency.

Ride-Sharing Overcharges

Complaint: Uber or Lyft charge fares that are far higher than expected.

Resolution: Contest the claim through the mobile application and raise it to the customer service desk of the respective platform.

Consumer Complaint Settlement

Direct Contact: First step is to get in touch with the business entity and ask them to settle.

Documentation: Maintains all kinds of receipts, communications, and agreements.

Lodge a Complaint: Use platforms such as the FTC, BBB, CFPB, or state attorney general’s office

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediate or arbitrate before going for litigation.

Pursue Legal Action: For unresolved complaints, take the case to small claims court or hire an attorney.

By understanding these common consumer complaints and their legal remedies, individuals can protect their rights and hold businesses accountable.

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