Report to Your State Attorney General
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
File complaints about businesses, charities, and consumer fraud in your state
Your state Attorney General (AG) is the chief legal officer of your state. AG offices investigate consumer fraud, enforce state consumer protection laws, and can take legal action against scammers operating in your state. Many states have consumer protection divisions specifically for this.
What they handle
- Consumer fraud and deceptive business practices
- Fake charities and nonprofit fraud
- Price gouging
- Debt collection violations
- Data breaches affecting state residents
- Business scams and contractor fraud
How to file a report
- 1
Find your state AG's website
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" or visit naag.org for a directory of all state AGs.
- 2
Find the consumer complaint form
Most state AG websites have an online complaint form. Look for "Consumer Protection" or "File a Complaint."
- 3
Describe the problem
Explain what happened, who was involved, and how much money was lost.
- 4
Attach supporting documents
Include contracts, emails, receipts, screenshots, or other evidence.
- 5
Submit and save your confirmation
Many AG offices will send you a complaint number for tracking.
What you'll need
- The name and contact information of the business or person you're reporting
- A detailed description of what happened and when
- Copies of contracts, receipts, emails, or advertisements
- The amount of money involved
- Steps you've already taken to resolve the issue
What to expect
Some AG offices mediate individual complaints by contacting the business on your behalf. Others focus on patterns and bring legal action when they see widespread fraud. Response times vary by state. Filing helps even if your individual case isn't resolved, because it builds the record for enforcement.