Consumer Rights

Your consumer rights

Federal and state laws protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices. Understanding your rights helps you recognize when something is wrong and take appropriate action.

• The right to accurate information about products and services
• Protection from unfair or deceptive business practices
• The right to dispute billing errors and unauthorized charges
• Protection against discrimination in lending and credit

Debt collection rules

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets rules for how debt collectors can contact you. Owing a debt does not mean collectors can do whatever they want — they must follow the law.

Debt collectors cannot:

• Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Contact you at work if you tell them your employer doesn't allow it
• Use threats, obscene language, or harassment
• Lie about the amount you owe or who they are
• Contact you after you send a written request to stop (with limited exceptions)

Your rights when contacted by a collector:

• Request written verification of the debt within 30 days
• Dispute the debt if you believe it is not yours or the amount is wrong
• Send a cease-and-desist letter to stop contact
• Report violations to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state attorney general

Contract disputes

When a business or individual doesn't hold up their end of a deal, you may have a breach of contract claim. Important things to know:

• Always get agreements in writing when possible
• Keep copies of contracts, receipts, emails, and text messages
• Review cancellation policies before signing up for services
• Small claims court handles many contract disputes
• Some contracts include mandatory arbitration clauses — read the fine print

Scams and fraud

If you've been the victim of a scam or fraudulent business practice:

1. Stop all contact and payments to the scammer immediately.
2. Document everything — save messages, receipts, screenshots, and records.
3. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
4. File a complaint with your state attorney general's consumer protection division.
5. Contact your bank or credit card company to dispute charges and protect your accounts.
6. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports if personal information was compromised.

Warranties and returns

• Express warranties — Written or verbal promises made by the seller about the product.
• Implied warranties — Automatic protections under state law (the product should work as expected for its intended use).
• Federal law (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) requires warranty terms to be available before purchase.
• "As is" sales may waive implied warranties — be cautious with these purchases.

Dispute resolution options

• Direct negotiation — Contact the business, explain the problem, and request a specific resolution.
• File a complaint — Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB), your state attorney general, or the CFPB.
• Mediation — A neutral third party helps both sides reach an agreement.
• Small claims court — For monetary disputes within your state's dollar limit.
• Arbitration — A private decision-maker resolves the dispute (sometimes required by contract).

Finding help

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Your state attorney general's consumer protection office
• Local legal aid organizations
• National Consumer Law Center