File a Consumer Complaint
Consumer Complaint Resources
Use this page to prepare your complaint, choose the right form, access printable forms, review next steps, and contact our office if you need help.
How to Complain Effectively
Before filing, review our complaint guide for tips on contacting the business, asking the right questions, organizing your information, and preparing a stronger complaint.
What this guide covers
- Who to contact first
- What information to gather
- What questions to ask
- How to document your efforts
- How to strengthen your submission
Prepare your complaint for a smoother review
Gathering the right information before you begin can reduce delays and help complete your submission.
Helpful information to gather
- Business name and contact information
- Important dates tied to the issue
- Receipts, contracts, statements, screenshots, or emails
- A clear summary of what happened
- The resolution you are seeking, if known
Important submission reminder
Successful online submissions generate an automatic confirmation email.
If you do not see this message, check your junk or spam folder.
If you do not receive a confirmation email, your submission may not have gone through and you may need to resubmit.
Select the form or reporting option that best fits your issue
Choose the option that best matches your situation. If you are unsure, use the quick decision helper below.
Standard Consumer Complaint Form
Start here for most consumer concerns. Use this form when your complaint does not require one of the specialized reporting options below. Charity and nonprofit complaints also begin with this form.
This is the best starting point for most consumer complaints, including concerns involving charities, nonprofits, fundraising, retail purchases, services, contractors, warranties, advertising, and other marketplace transactions.
Bank / Credit Card / Mortgage Complaints
Use this form for complaints involving banks, credit card companies, mortgage servicers, checking or savings accounts, or related servicing issues.
Examples include billing disputes, mortgage servicing concerns, payment processing problems, or bank account servicing issues.
Price-Gouging Complaints
Use this form to report excessive pricing on essential goods or services during a declared disaster.
Crypto ATM Compliance Reports
Use this option to learn about Crypto ATM reporting and compliance requirements and access the dedicated Crypto ATM page.
Use the dedicated page for Crypto ATM compliance report information, guidance, and next steps.
Charities, Nonprofits, and Fundraising
Review guidance for deceptive charitable solicitations, professional fundraisers, unauthorized use of a charity's name, or suspected misuse of charitable assets.
Reporting excessive pricing during disasters
Iowa law may prohibit excessive price increases on essential goods and services during declared disasters. If you believe you were overcharged, this section explains what to look for and how to report it.
What qualifies as price gouging?
Price gouging may occur when a business significantly increases prices on goods or services needed after a disaster declaration.
- Water, food, or basic household supplies
- Fuel, utilities, or temporary housing
- Medical supplies or medications
- Cleanup, repair, or construction services
What information helps your report
- Photos or screenshots of advertised prices
- Receipts or proof of purchase
- Business name and location
- Date the price was observed or charged
- Any comparison to prior pricing, if known
The more documentation you provide, the easier it is to evaluate your concern.
When should you use this form?
Use the price-gouging complaint form when your concern involves pricing tied to a disaster or emergency.
- The price increase occurred after a disaster event
- The item or service is essential
- The increase appears excessive or unreasonable
Want to review the law?
Iowa's price gouging rule explains how excessive pricing is evaluated during disasters.
This is optional. You do not need to interpret the law before submitting a report.
Reporting charity, nonprofit, or fundraiser concerns
The Iowa Attorney General's Office accepts complaints involving suspected violations of Iowa law by charitable organizations, nonprofit corporations, charitable trusts, and professional fundraisers. The correct reporting path depends on the conduct involved.
What the Attorney General may review
- Deceptive or misleading charitable solicitations
- Professional fundraiser registration or disclosure concerns
- Unauthorized use of another charity's name
- Suspected misuse of charitable funds, property, or other assets
- A nonprofit allegedly exceeding or abusing its lawful authority
- Suspected improper administration of a charitable trust
What information helps
- The exact name of the organization and fundraiser
- Website, email address, phone number, and mailing address
- Solicitations, advertisements, messages, or social media posts
- Receipts, statements, and other payment records
- Statements about how the donation would be used
- Names of other charities or public organizations referenced
- Your attempts to contact the charity directly
Before you donate
- Confirm the organization's exact name, website, address, and charitable purpose.
- Contact the organization using information you independently locate.
- Ask whether the caller works for the charity or a paid fundraiser.
- Ask how the donation will support the stated program or purpose.
- Do not assume a social media or crowdfunding request is operated by the named charity.
- Be cautious of pressure, secrecy, look-alike names, or difficult-to-reverse payment demands.
Other reporting paths
Fake-charity or fundraising scams
File an Iowa consumer complaint and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
ReportFraud.ftc.govFederal tax-exempt status
Use IRS Form 13909 when conduct may be inconsistent with an organization's federal tax-exempt status.
File IRS Form 13909Possible criminal conduct
Report suspected theft, embezzlement, forgery, or other criminal activity to local law enforcement or the appropriate county attorney.
Registration and filing information
Organizations and professional fundraisers should use the Attorney General's business resources for registration, disclosure, charitable trust, and nonprofit formation information.
View Charities, Nonprofits, and Fundraising InformationImportant scope information
Filing a complaint does not guarantee that the Attorney General's Office will investigate or take enforcement action. The Attorney General represents the State of Iowa and the public interest and cannot act as a private attorney for an individual complainant.
Some matters may be referred to another agency, local law enforcement, a county attorney, the Internal Revenue Service, or private legal counsel. Routine internal governance, employment, membership, or contract disputes may require private legal advice unless the facts also indicate a violation the Attorney General can enforce.
Quick decision helper
Recommended option: Bank / Credit Card / Mortgage Complaint Form
Based on your answers, the specialized bank, credit card, and mortgage complaint form is likely the best fit.
Recommended option: Price-Gouging Complaint Form
Based on your answers, the price-gouging complaint form is likely the best fit.
Recommended option: Main Consumer Complaint Form
Based on your answers, the general consumer complaint form is likely the correct starting point.
Recommended option: Main Consumer Complaint Form
Use the main consumer complaint form and identify the charity, nonprofit, charitable trust, or fundraiser involved. Review the charity and nonprofit complaint information for helpful documentation and additional reporting options.
Recommended option: Crypto ATM Information Page
Based on your answers, the Crypto ATM page is likely the best place for compliance report information and guidance.
Need to file by mail instead?
If you cannot complete an online complaint form, you may print one or contact our office to request one by mail.
Printable forms
Select the printable form that best matches your concern.
Before mailing your form
- Send copies of supporting documents instead of originals whenever possible.
- If you send originals and want them returned, you must request their return.
- Documents not requested to be returned may be destroyed after intake.
- If requesting a mailed form, specify whether you need a specialized form.
Mailing address
Office of the Attorney General of IowaConsumer Protection Division
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0106
What to expect after you file
Here is the general process after a successful online complaint submission.
You submit your complaint
Choose the correct form and provide supporting documentation.
You receive confirmation
An automatic email is sent after a successful online submission.
Staff review the submission
Our office reviews the materials and checks for completeness.
Complaint is processed
Processing begins once all required documents, signatures, and other items are received.
You typically hear back
The current response time is generally 1 to 3 business days for complete submissions.
Common questions
If all required documents, signatures, and other materials have been received, the current review and response time is generally 1 to 3 business days.
Check your junk or spam folder first. If you do not receive an automatic confirmation email, your submission may not have been successful and you may need to resubmit.
Yes. Online submissions can include up to three attachments. If you have more than three files, you may wish to zip them when appropriate.
Yes. You may print and mail a complaint form or contact the office to request one by mail.
Contact the Consumer Protection Division
If you need help, need a form mailed to you, or have questions about how to proceed, contact our office.
Phone
515-281-5926
888-777-4590 (outside of the Des Moines metro area)
Fax
515-281-6771
Consumer Protection Division
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0106
