How To File Your Cell Phone Complaint

Where To File Your Cell
Phone Complaint

A List of Helpful Resources

Wondering where to file your cell phone complaint?

We'll show you what state and federal agencies handle cell phone complaints, and what documentation you'll need on hand.

We've also included contact information for the five major carriers(Cingular, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and Nextel).

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

If you've already complained to your wireless carrier about your problem and did not receive a satisfactory resolution, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.

(Please note: The FCC doesn't handle contact disputes or deceptive advertising practices. These type of complaints must be filed with your state's attorney general).*

How will contacting the FCC help?

The FCC forwards all electronic or mailed in complaints to your cell phone service provider. Your carrier then has up to 30 days to respond to the complaint.

What You'll need to file a cell phone complaint:

Any contact information, including

The business name and address of the company (or companies) involved in the dispute
The names of company representative you contacted, along with the date.

The FCC accepts complaints by mail, telephone, fax, and email. Or, you can file your complaint online.

Your State Attorneys General Office

Your state attorneys general office handles complaints about fraud and contract disputes.

How will your state attorney's office help?

Some complaints filed to state attorneys generals have resulted in lawsuits against wireless carriers. Those carriers were then forced to refund their consumers, and change certain areas of their practices.

Find the Attorney General of Your State

When filing a complaint with a state attorney general office, explain in detail

what the problem is
the name of the company your filing a complaint against
what you have done to resolve the issue
and what you would like to have done.

Tips on Filing Your Cell Phone Complaint

Make sure you identify the name of the business, and include the current address of the company. This is important because most agencies notify businesses of a complaint filed against them via US mail.

Describe as completely as you can the problem with the product or service. For instance, did you experience overcharges on your cell phone bill? Describe to the Agency what services you agreed to, and what additional services were added without your consent.

Explain what you want the business to do. Specifically state how much money should be refunded, or exactly how you want the carrier to resolve the issue.

Always include photocopies of documents which are relevant to your complaint (ie: receipts, warranties, both sides of cancelled checks, contracts, etc.) Don't send originals. If the company insists on the original copies, make sure you keep a copy for your records.