Filing a Consumer Complaint in South Dakota
How to report a business to the South Dakota Attorney General or consumer agency, and your rights under the state's consumer protection law.
Short answer: Consumers can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Protection online or on a downloadable form, or request a mailed form by calling 1-800-300-1986 (in-state). South Dakota Attorney General, Division of Consumer Protection, Complaint Form
| Filing a complaint | Consumers can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Protection online or on a downloadable form, or request a mailed form by calling 1-800-300-1986 (in-state). An investigator reviews each complaint, the business is generally contacted and given 20 days to reply or resolve it, and the Division may investigate or mediate; some complaints are referred to other agencies or may require private legal action, such as small claims court. Email: consumerhelp@state.sd.us. |
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| Unfair and deceptive practices law | South Dakota's Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection law makes it a deceptive act or practice to knowingly use any deceptive act or practice, fraud, false pretense, false promise or misrepresentation, or to conceal or omit a material fact, in connection with the sale or advertisement of merchandise, whether or not anyone was actually misled; it also lists specific practices such as misleading price-reduction claims. The Attorney General enforces the law, and any person adversely affected by a prohibited practice may sue to recover actual damages. Private action: https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/37-24-31.html |
Where to get help in South Dakota
More South Dakota consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in South Dakota
- Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in South Dakota
- Contractors and Repair Shops in South Dakota
- All South Dakota consumer protection rules
FAQ
How do you file a consumer complaint in South Dakota?
Consumers can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Protection online or on a downloadable form, or request a mailed form by calling 1-800-300-1986 (in-state). An investigator reviews each complaint, the business is generally contacted and given 20 days to reply or resolve it, and the Division may investigate or mediate; some complaints are referred to other agencies or may require private legal action, such as small claims court. Email: consumerhelp@state.sd.us.
What is the consumer protection law in South Dakota?
South Dakota's Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection law makes it a deceptive act or practice to knowingly use any deceptive act or practice, fraud, false pretense, false promise or misrepresentation, or to conceal or omit a material fact, in connection with the sale or advertisement of merchandise, whether or not anyone was actually misled; it also lists specific practices such as misleading price-reduction claims. The Attorney General enforces the law, and any person adversely affected by a prohibited practice may sue to recover actual damages.
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.