Your request for assistance must be submitted in writing using our online complaint form. Please be sure to include all relevant information. The information you provide to DoBS, including supporting documentation, will be shared with the licensed entity to address your concerns.​

Your complaint should include the following information to expedite processing:

• Narrative description of the issue you are experiencing.
  
  
• Supporting Documents: Letters, account or loan statements, loan agreements, emails, text messages, or other documents or communications between you and the entity.
  
  
• Description of the resolution/outcome you are seeking with the entity; and
  
  
• Any additional information relevant to the nature of the issue.
  

​An Investor Complaint Form is required for complaints involving securities.​

An investor complaint form should be used in lieu of a traditional complaint for securities-related disputes. This could include complaints concerning brokers, brokerage firms, investment advisers, problems with investments, and investment account, or a financial professional.

How Do I Report a Scam or Suspicious Investment?

You may verify that a firm or individual is licensed through BrokerCheck. This allows you to search for an individual or firm by name, CRD/SEC Number, employing firm, or zip code.

• Once the complaint is processed, an acknowledgment letter will be mailed or emailed.
  
  
• To ensure both parties have an opportunity to be heard, a copy of the complaint will be forwarded to the institution involved for review and a response.
  
  
• The financial institution will have 15 days to respond to CSO.
  
  
• Time allowed may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the complaint.
  
  
• Additional time to respond may be granted to the institution upon request.
  
  
• CSO will review the complaint and response to determine if the response resolves or addresses the concerns expressed in the complaint.
  
  
• CSO will send a closing letter by email or mail, documenting the resolution or conclusion of the complaint.
  
  
• If the response does not satisfy your concerns, you may consider pursuing resolution through private legal counsel, legal aid, mediation, or arbitration.
  

​To avoid any confusion or frustration regarding what the Consumer Services Office can do, you should understand that our authority is limited. CSO cannot:

• Conduct investigations of a state licensed institution, business entity, or individual. (For information about the supervision of regulated entities, visit the appropriate program area on the DoBS website)
  
  
• Act on behalf of a consumer in any legal capacity to include but not limited to:
• Offer legal advice/guidance.
• Compel replacement of lost funds or pursue financial or other personal remedies on behalf of a consumer.
• Provide guidance to determine what course of action to take.
• Determine a consumer's rights against an institution.
• Serve as an ombudsman or advocate for a consumer or financial institution.
• Issue subpoenas or compel an institution to release internal confidential information to a consumer.
  
  
• Compel a response from entities that are not regulated or licensed by DoBS.
  
  
• Offer opinions on issues of factual dispute.
  
  
• Handle a complaint in litigation or that has been resolved by the court system.
  
  
• Resolve complaints that result from an institution's internal policies and procedures, which may not be governed by state or federal laws or regulations.
  
  
• Recommend a financial institution to a consumer.
  
  
• Provide complaint information on any institution that is licensed by the DoBS.
  
  
• Share the outcome of any nonpublic action stemming from the DoBS review or investigation.
  
  
• Provide any information as to the financial or managerial soundness of a financial institution.
  
  
• Provide any ratings or information discovered in the examination process.