Reporting Banking Misconduct: Protect Your Consumer Rights

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If you have a checking or savings account with a bank, you are entitled to certain consumer rights and protections under federal law. If you feel that a national bank is guilty of misconduct or is operating under unethical practices, you can report it to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which is a subdivision of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This office is responsible for investigating consumer complaints about the banking industry.

Step 1

Try to resolve the problem with your bank. Call your bank's customer service phone number and ask to speak with a supervisor. You can also try visiting your local branch and ask to speak with a supervisor there. Speak calmly and provide facts about your problem without inserting your opinion. Tell the people with whom you speak that you plan to report the bank to the federal government if your problem is not resolved.

Step 2

Find the correct regulatory agency with which to make a complaint. If you have a national bank, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is the correct agency. If you have an account at a state-chartered credit union or bank, you will need to find the agency that oversees it. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's website provides details on how to find such agencies.

Step 3

File your complaint. For problems with national banks, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency offers several ways to make your complaint, including online or by mailing or faxing a written complaint. Provide facts about your complaint and include as much detailed information, such as names and dates, as you can.

Step 4

Follow up on your complaint. You will receive a confirmation that your complaint has been received by e-mail or mail. The confirmation will include a case number for your complaint, which you can use to check the status of your complaint online. The comptroller's office will contact your bank and will send you a letter outlining the results of its investigation. You may appeal your case's outcome if you feel that it remains unresolved. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's ombudsman reviews all appeals and makes a final decision on them. You may not appeal this decision.