FTC Consumer Rights
Your Complete Guide to Federal Consumer Protection
What is the FTC?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the primary federal agency responsible for protecting consumers and promoting competition. The FTC enforces the FTC Act, which prohibits "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" in commerce.
Your Rights Under the FTC Act
The FTC Act protects you from:
- Deceptive advertising - False claims about products or services
- Hidden fees - Charges not clearly disclosed before purchase
- Bait and switch - Advertising one product but trying to sell another
- Unfair business practices - Practices that cause substantial consumer harm
- Identity theft - Unauthorized use of personal information
How to File an FTC Complaint
You can file a complaint with the FTC in several ways:
Online Complaint Portal
Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov
This is the fastest way to file a complaint and helps the FTC identify patterns of fraud.
What the FTC Can and Cannot Do
The FTC CAN:
- Investigate companies with patterns of complaints
- Take legal action against violators
- Obtain refunds for consumers in some cases
- Issue rules to prevent unfair practices
The FTC CANNOT:
- Resolve individual disputes between you and a company
- Provide legal advice
- Act as your attorney
State Consumer Protection
In addition to the FTC, each state has its own consumer protection agency, usually under the State Attorney General's office. State laws often provide additional protections and may allow you to recover damages directly.
Pro Tip
When writing a complaint letter, mention that you will file a complaint with the FTC and your State Attorney General if the issue isn't resolved. This often motivates companies to respond more quickly.
Create Your Complaint Letter
Ready to take action? Use our free AI tool to generate a professional complaint letter that references the FTC Act and other relevant consumer protection laws.