Filing a Consumer Complaint in Iowa
How to report a business to the Iowa Attorney General or consumer agency, and your rights under the state's consumer protection law.
Short answer: File a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division online (up to three attachments; you should get a confirmation email) or with a printable form. Iowa Attorney General, File a Consumer Complaint
| Filing a complaint | File a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division online (up to three attachments; you should get a confirmation email) or with a printable form. Separate forms exist for bank and mortgage servicing complaints and for price gouging during declared disasters. Contact: consumer@ag.iowa.gov, 515-281-5926, or 888-777-4590 outside the Des Moines metro area. |
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| Unfair and deceptive practices law | Iowa Code chapter 714H (private actions for consumer fraud) lets a consumer who suffers an ascertainable loss of money or property from a prohibited practice sue for actual damages and equitable relief; a consumer awarded actual damages also recovers costs and reasonable attorney fees. If the violation shows willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others, statutory damages of up to three times actual damages may be added. Suits must generally be filed within two years. The Attorney General enforces the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act (Iowa Code § 714.16). Source: Iowa Code § 714H.5 |
Where to get help in Iowa
More Iowa consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in Iowa
- Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in Iowa
- Contractors and Repair Shops in Iowa
- All Iowa consumer protection rules
FAQ
How do you file a consumer complaint in Iowa?
File a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division online (up to three attachments; you should get a confirmation email) or with a printable form. Separate forms exist for bank and mortgage servicing complaints and for price gouging during declared disasters. Contact: consumer@ag.iowa.gov, 515-281-5926, or 888-777-4590 outside the Des Moines metro area.
What is the consumer protection law in Iowa?
Iowa Code chapter 714H (private actions for consumer fraud) lets a consumer who suffers an ascertainable loss of money or property from a prohibited practice sue for actual damages and equitable relief; a consumer awarded actual damages also recovers costs and reasonable attorney fees. If the violation shows willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others, statutory damages of up to three times actual damages may be added. Suits must generally be filed within two years. The Attorney General enforces the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act (Iowa Code § 714.16).
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.