Filing a Consumer Complaint in District of Columbia
How to report a business to the District of Columbia Attorney General or consumer agency, and your rights under the state's consumer protection law.
Short answer: The Attorney General's Consumer and Tenant Response (CTR) unit mediates consumer complaints for free when the consumer lives in D.C. or the business is located or headquartered in D.C. Office of the Attorney General for D.C., Submit a Consumer Complaint
| Filing a complaint | The Attorney General's Consumer and Tenant Response (CTR) unit mediates consumer complaints for free when the consumer lives in D.C. or the business is located or headquartered in D.C. Submit a complaint through the online complaint portal (preferred), call the hotline at 202-442-9828, or email consumer.protection@dc.gov. A paralegal or investigator will contact you; CTR does not provide individual legal representation. |
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| Unfair and deceptive practices law | The D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act (D.C. Code § 28-3901 et seq.) prohibits unfair and deceptive trade practices. A consumer may sue over a trade practice that violates D.C. law and recover treble damages or $1,500 per violation, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees, punitive damages, an injunction and other relief. For one specific violation (§ 28-3904(kk)), recovery is limited to actual damages. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 28-3904, 28-3905(k) |
Where to get help in District of Columbia
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Office of Consumer Protection (Consumer and Tenant Response)
- File a complaint or claim
More District of Columbia consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in District of Columbia
- Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in District of Columbia
- Contractors and Repair Shops in District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia consumer protection rules
FAQ
How do you file a consumer complaint in District of Columbia?
The Attorney General's Consumer and Tenant Response (CTR) unit mediates consumer complaints for free when the consumer lives in D.C. or the business is located or headquartered in D.C. Submit a complaint through the online complaint portal (preferred), call the hotline at 202-442-9828, or email consumer.protection@dc.gov. A paralegal or investigator will contact you; CTR does not provide individual legal representation.
What is the consumer protection law in District of Columbia?
The D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act (D.C. Code § 28-3901 et seq.) prohibits unfair and deceptive trade practices. A consumer may sue over a trade practice that violates D.C. law and recover treble damages or $1,500 per violation, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees, punitive damages, an injunction and other relief.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.