1 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

March 2014 

Consumer Response 

Annual Report 

January 1 – December 31, 2013 
2 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Message from 

Richard Cordray 

Director of the CFPB 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or the Bureau) began consumer response 

operations on July 21, 2011 as the nation’s first federal agency specifically mandated to protect 

American consumers in the financial marketplace. As this report shows, our Office of Consumer 

Response (Consumer Response) has continued to make great strides over the last year, 

expanding the CFPB’s ability to engage consumers that face financial challenges and bring their 

concerns to the attention of companies. 

The CFPB now accepts complaints about a wide range of products and services that people use 

every day, including mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, student loans, bank accounts, payday 

loans, debt collection, credit reporting, and money transfers. Consumers can submit a complaint 

on our website or by calling us toll-free, where we provide services to consumers in more than 

180 languages. Consumer Response continues to work toward expanding the CFPB’s complaint 

handling to include other products and services under the Bureau’s authority, such as prepaid 

cards. 

Every complaint the CFPB receives makes a difference. At an individual level, we have helped 

consumers secure millions of dollars in monetary relief and further satisfaction in the form of 

non-monetary relief, such as cleaning up their credit reports, stopping harassment from debt 

collectors, and correcting account information. At a market level, complaints give us insight into 

what is happening to consumers around the country, right now. They enable us to listen to, and 

amplify, the concerns of any American who wants to be heard. They are also our compass, and 

make a difference by informing our work and helping us identify and prioritize problems for 

potential supervisory, enforcement, and regulatory action. 
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Through our public Consumer Complaint Database, launched by Consumer Response in June 

2012, others can learn from consumers’ complaints too. By making anonymized complaint data 

publicly available, we hope to improve the transparency and efficiency of this essential 

consumer market. The database, available on our website, is already being used by consumers, 

advocacy groups, businesses, policy makers, and journalists as a resource for spotting trends in 

the marketplace that they then share with the public. 

Through these various approaches, we are putting the voices of consumers at the center of the 

Bureau’s work. Many companies are adapting to this focus to become more directly responsive 

to consumer concerns. We continue to work to fulfill Congress’s vision that we stand on the side 

of consumers to help improve their financial lives. Through their complaints, consumers help us 

to make the marketplace a better and safer place, not only for them but for responsible 

businesses as well. 

Sincerely, 

Richard Cordray 
4 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Table of contents 

Message from Richard Cordray ................................................................................. 2

Table of contents ......................................................................................................... 4

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 5

2. How the CFPB handles complaints ................................................................... 10

3. Results ................................................................................................................. 12

3.1 Complaints handled in 2013 ................................................................... 12

3.2 Consumers’ mortgage complaints .......................................................... 13

3.3 Consumers’ debt collection complaints ................................................. 16

3.4 Consumers’ credit reporting complaints ................................................ 19

3.5 Consumers’ bank account and service complaints ................................ 22

3.6 Consumers’ credit card complaints ........................................................ 24

3.7 Consumers’ consumer loan complaints ................................................. 25

3.8 Consumers’ private student loan complaints ......................................... 27

3.9 Consumers’ money transfer complaints ................................................ 29

3.10 Consumers’ payday loan complaints ...................................................... 30

3.11 How companies respond to consumer complaints ................................ 32

3.12 Consumers’ feedback about companies’ responses ............................... 36

3.13 Consumer Response investigation and analysis .................................... 38
5 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

1. Introduction 

The CFPB is the first federal agency solely focused on consumer financial protection.1 Collecting, 

investigating, and responding to consumer complaints2 are integral parts of the CFPB’s work.3

The Bureau’s Office of Consumer Response hears directly from consumers about the challenges 

they face in the marketplace, brings their concerns to the attention of companies, and assists in 

addressing their complaints. 

When the Bureau opened its doors on July 21, 2011, it began consumer response operations on 

the same day, accepting consumer complaints about credit cards. Since then, the Bureau has 

expanded its complaint handling to include complaints about: mortgages, bank accounts and 

services, private student loans, vehicle and other consumer loans, credit reporting, money 

transfers, debt collection, and payday loans. 

 

1 The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-203 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) 

created the CFPB to protect consumers of financial products or services and to encourage the fair and competitive 

operation of consumer financial markets. 

2 Consumer complaints are submissions that express dissatisfaction with, or communicate suspicion of wrongful 

conduct by, an identifiable entity related to a consumer’s personal experience with a financial product or service. 

3 See Dodd-Frank Act, Pub. L. No. 111-203, Section 1021(c)(2). 
6 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

The CFPB continues to work toward expanding its complaint handling to include other products 

and services under its authority, such as prepaid cards. Consumers may also contact the CFPB 

about other products and services. The Bureau refers consumers to other regulators or 

additional resources as appropriate. 

The CFPB’s phased-in approach to taking complaints has allowed Consumer Response to 

develop strong foundations over time. Based on feedback from consumers and companies, as 

well as its own observations, Consumer Response identifies new opportunities to improve its 

processes and implement changes with each product launch. By applying the lessons learned 

through previous complaint rollouts, Consumer Response has improved its intake process, 

enhanced communication with companies, and ensured the system’s ease-of-use and 

effectiveness for consumers. 

Since beginning to accept complaints July 21, 2011 through February 28, 2014, the CFPB has 

handled approximately 309, 700 consumer complaints. Complaint volume has steadily 

increased, rising 80% from 91,000 in 2012 to 163,700 in 2013. 
7 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

FIGURE 1: COMPLAINTS OVER TIME 

Information about consumer complaints is available to the public, through the CFPB’s public 

Consumer Complaint Database, launched on June 19, 2012.4 Initially populated with credit card 

complaints received on and after June 1, 2012, the database has been expanded over time: 

 October 2012: added credit card complaints dating back to December 1, 2011; 

 March 2013: added mortgage complaints dating back to December 1, 2011; bank account 

and service complaints, private student loan complaints, and other consumer loan 

complaints, all dating back to March 1, 2012; 

 May 2013: added credit reporting complaints dating back to October 22, 2012 and 

money transfer complaints dating back to April 4, 2013; and 

 November 2013: added debt collection complaints dating back to July 10, 2013. 

A complaint is listed in the database after the company responds to the complaint or after the 

company has had the complaint for 15 calendar days, whichever comes first. If a company 

demonstrates within 15 calendar days that it has been wrongly identified, no data for that 

 

4 In December 2011, the CFPB asked the public to comment on a proposed policy of making some credit card 

complaint data publicly available. After considering those comments, the CFPB finalized its policy for disclosing 

some of the data through its Consumer Complaint Database (Policy Statement). See Disclosure of Certain Credit 

Card Complaint Data, 77 Fed. Reg. 37,558 (June 22, 2012). 
8 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

complaint will be posted unless and until the correct company is identified. Complaints can be 

removed if they do not meet all of the publication criteria.5 

The database is live, updates nightly, and contains anonymized complaint data provided by 

consumers in the complaint process, including the type of complaint, the date of submission, the 

consumer’s zip code, and the company that the complaint concerns. The database also includes 

information about the actions taken by a company in response to a complaint – whether the 

company’s response was timely, how the company responded, and whether the consumer 

disputed the company’s response. The database does not include consumers’ identity 

information. Web-based and user-friendly features of the database include the ability to: filter 

data based on specific search criteria; aggregate data in various ways, such as by complaint type, 

company, location, date, or any combination of available variables; and download data. 

www.consumerfinance.gov/complaintdatabase 

Information from the database has been shared and evaluated on social media and using other 

new applications. 

 

5 See Disclosure of Certain Credit Card Complaint Data, 77 Fed. Reg. 37,558 (June 22, 2012). 
9 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

In the summer of 2012, the CFPB asked for public comment about adding complaints about 

other consumer financial products and services under its authority to the Consumer Complaint 

Database and received a wide range of comments from interested stakeholders.6 

The CFPB continues to evaluate, among other things, the release of consumer narratives, the 

potential for normalization of the data to make comparisons easier, and the expansion of 

functionality to improve user experience. 

The CFPB also has a “Tell Your Story” feature on its website that gives consumers the 

opportunity to share their experiences – positive or negative – with consumer financial products 

and services. These submissions, like formal complaints, are reviewed by CFPB staff to help the 

Bureau understand current issues in the financial marketplace. 

In keeping with the CFPB’s statutory responsibility and its commitment to accountability, this 

report provides an overview of how Consumer Response handles complaints and presents an 

analysis of complaints received over the period from January 1 through December 31, 2013.7

Consumer Response continually strives to improve data quality and protect sensitive 

information, while increasingly making data available through reports to Congress and to the 

public about the complaints the CFPB receives and by sharing certain data with the public 

through the Consumer Complaint Database. 

 

6 In June 2012, the CFPB asked the public to comment on a proposed policy of duplicating the data disclosure 

practices described in the Policy Statement for consumer complaints about other consumer financial products and 

services within the Bureau’s jurisdiction. 77 Fed. Reg. 37616 (Jun 22, 2012) 

7 This report addresses the reporting requirements of Dodd-Frank Act Section 1013(b)(3)(c), 12 U.S.C. § 5493(b)(3)(c), 

and Fair Credit Reporting Act Section 611(e), 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(e). 
10 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

2. How the CFPB handles 

complaints 

Consumer Response receives complaints and inquiries directly from consumers. The CFPB 

accepts complaints through its website and by telephone, mail, email, fax, and referral. 

Consumers submit complaints on the Bureau’s website using complaint forms tailored to 

specific products, and can also log on to a secure consumer portal to check the status of a 

complaint and review a company’s response. While on the website, consumers can chat with a 

live agent to get help completing a complaint form. Consumers can also call the Bureau’s tollfree number to ask questions, submit a complaint, check the status of a complaint, and more. 

The CFPB’s U.S.-based contact centers provide services to consumers in more than 180 

languages and to consumers who are deaf, have hearing loss, or have speech disabilities via a 

toll-free telephone number. Cutting-edge technology, including secure company and consumer 

portals, makes the process efficient and user-friendly for consumers and companies. For 

companies, the CFPB provides secure channels for communicating directly with dedicated staff 

about technical issues. 

Consumer Response screens all complaints submitted by consumers based on several criteria. 

These criteria include whether the complaint falls within the CFPB’s primary enforcement 

authority, whether the complaint is complete, whether it is submitted by a consumer (or the 

consumer’s authorized representative) with an authenticated commercial relationship with the 

identified company, and whether the complaint is a duplicate of a prior submission by the same 

consumer. Screened complaints are sent via a secure web portal to the appropriate company.8

The company reviews the information, communicates with the consumer as needed, and 

 

8 If a particular complaint does not involve a product or market that is within the Bureau’s jurisdiction or that is 

currently being handled by the Bureau, Consumer Response refers it to the appropriate regulator. 
11 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

determines what action to take in response. The company reports back to the consumer and the 

CFPB via the secure “company portal.” The Bureau then invites the consumer to review the 

response and provide feedback. Consumer Response reviews the feedback consumers provide 

about company responses, using this information along with other information such as the 

timeliness of the company’s response,9 for example, to help prioritize complaints for 

investigation. Consumers who have submitted complaints with the Bureau can log onto the 

secure “consumer portal” available on the CFPB’s website or call a toll-free number to receive 

status updates, provide additional information, and review responses provided to the consumer 

by the company. 

Throughout this process, subject-matter experts help monitor certain complaints. For example, 

the Office of Servicemember Affairs coordinates on complaints submitted by servicemembers or 

their spouses and dependents. 

 

9 The CFPB requests that companies respond to complaints within 15 calendar days. If a complaint cannot be closed 

within 15 calendar days, a company may indicate that its work on the complaint is “In progress” and provide a final 

response within 60 calendar days. 
12 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3. Results 

3.1 Complaints handled in 2013 

Between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013, the CFPB received approximately 163,700 

consumer complaints.10 

FIGURE 2: CONSUMER COMPLAINTS BY PRODUCT11

 

10 This analysis excludes multiple complaints submitted by a given consumer on the same issue and whistleblower 

tips. All data are current as of January 1, 2014. 

11 Percentages may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding. 
13 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Approximately 54% of all consumer complaints were submitted through the CFPB’s website and 

11% via telephone calls. Referrals accounted for 24% of all complaints received. The rest were 

submitted by mail, email, and fax. 

The tables and figures presented below show complaints by type, actions taken, company 

responses, and consumers’ feedback about company responses.12 

3.2 Consumers’ mortgage complaints 

Figures 3 and 4 show the types of mortgage complaints reported by consumers for the 

approximately 59,900 mortgage complaints received by the CFPB. 

FIGURE 3: TYPES OF MORTGAGE PRODUCTS CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 

 

12 Percentages may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding. 
14 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

FIGURE 4: TYPES OF MORTGAGE COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 1: TYPES OF MORTGAGE COMPLAINTS 

The most common type of mortgage complaint involves problems consumers face when they are 

unable to make payments, such as issues relating to loan modifications, collections, or 

foreclosures. Consumers with successfully completed loan modifications have complained that 

some servicers do not amend derogatory credit reporting accrued by consumers during trial 

periods – even when documents provided to the consumers by servicers indicated that they 

Types of mortgage complaints %

Problems when you are unable to pay (Loan modification, collection, foreclosure) 59% 

Making payments (Loan servicing, payments, escrow accounts) 26% 

Applying for the loan (Application, originator, mortgage broker) 8% 

Signing the agreement (Settlement process and costs) 4% 

Receiving a credit offer (Credit decision/Underwriting) 2% 

Other 1% 

Total Mortgage Complaints 100% 
15 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

would do so. Consumers seeking short sales have reported that second-lien holders refuse to 

accept or subordinate in a short sale, whereas some consumers who do obtain a short sale have 

concerns with the loan account being incorrectly reported as a foreclosure. Consumers facing 

foreclosure have expressed concern and confusion about fees assessed in connection with the 

foreclosure process. The fees often seem to represent a substantial barrier to a consumer’s 

ability to reinstate the loan and avoid foreclosure, as many servicers will not roll the fees into the 

loan balance. Consumers are then required to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars, in addition 

to the loan reinstatement amount, to avoid foreclosure, and the amount of fees the consumer 

must pay to reinstate the loan can be confusing. Finally, foreclosure fees are sometimes listed as 

one line-item on a reinstatement quote, with no itemization provided unless the consumer 

specifically requests more information on what fees are being assessed. 

Other common types of mortgage complaints address issues related to making payments, 

including loan servicing, payments, or escrow accounts. For example, consumers express 

concern over difficulties they experience when the servicing of their loans is transferred, 

including complaints about fees charged by the prior servicer, unexplained escrow deficiencies, 

issues with the new servicer accepting the previous servicer’s modification, and communication 

between the old and new servicer, especially when loss mitigation efforts are ongoing. For 

consumers applying for a mortgage loan, consumers raise issues related to interest rate-lock 

agreements, such as lenders refusing to honor rate-locks, or assessing penalties when the loan 

does not close. 
16 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.3 Consumers’ debt collection complaints 

Figures 5 and 6 show the types of debt collection complaints reported by consumers for the 

approximately 31,100 debt collection complaints the CFPB has received. 

FIGURE 5: TYPES OF DEBT COMPLAINED ABOUT BY CONSUMERS 

FIGURE 6: TYPES OF DEBT COLLECTION COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 
17 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

TABLE 2: TYPES OF DEBT COLLECTION COMPLAINTS 

As the table illustrates, the most common type of debt collection complaint is about continued 

attempts to collect a debt that is not owed. In many of these cases the attempt to collect the debt 

is not itself the problem; rather, consumers argue that the calculation of the underlying debt is 

inaccurate or unfair. In other cases, the consumer’s complaint centers on the credit reporting of 

the debt. These complaints, which are often mirrored by credit reporting complaints submitted 

to the Bureau, indicate that consumers frequently only learn about debt collection accounts 

when they check their credit reports. 

Types of debt collection complaints %

Continued attempts to collect debt not owed (Debt was discharged in bankruptcy, debt 

resulted from identity theft, debt was paid, debt is not mine) 33% 

Communication tactics (Frequent or repeated calls, called outside of 8am-9pm, used 

obscene, profane or other abusive language, threatened to take legal action, called 

after sent written cease of communication notice) 

22% 

Taking/threatening an illegal action (Threatened to arrest me or take me to jail if I do 

not pay, threatened to sue me on debt that is too old to be sued on, sued me without 

properly notifying me of lawsuit, sued me where I did not live or did not sign for the 

debt, attempted to/collected exempt funds, seized or attempted to seize property) 

14% 

Disclosure verification of debt (Did not receive notice of right to dispute, not enough 

information to verify debt, did not disclose communication was an attempt to collect a 

debt) 

13% 

False statements or representation (Attempted to collect wrong amount, impersonated 

attorney, law enforcement or government official, indicated committing crime by not 

paying debt, indicated should not respond to lawsuit) 

9% 

Improper contact or sharing of information (Contacted me after I asked not to, 

contacted my employer, contacted me instead of my attorney, talked to a third party 

about my debt) 

7% 

Other 2% 

Total Debt Collection Complaints 100% 
18 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Another common type of complaint, related to consumers’ questions about the underlying debt, 

involves verification of the debt. In these complaints, consumers ask the debt collection 

company to provide them with validation or verification of the underlying debt. Consumers are 

generally seeking documentation that they were the ones who signed the contract underlying the 

debt in question. Consumers, however, report that collectors do not provide them with the 

information that the consumers believe they should provide. 

Complaints about communication tactics, particularly telephone collections, are another 

common type of consumer complaint. Consumers complain about telephone collections which 

are too frequent and which come at inconvenient times of the day. They also complain about 

debt collectors calling their place of employment or third parties. The most common telephone 

collection related complaint is when a consumer gets a call about another person’s debt. 

Sometimes the call is for someone with a similar name. More often, it appears the consumer’s 

phone number has mistakenly been attached to another person’s account. In most cases, it 

appears that consumers are submitting their complaint to the CFPB after repeated failed 

attempts to inform the company calling them that the debtor is not located at that number. 
19 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.4 Consumers’ credit reporting complaints13 

Figure 7 shows the types of credit reporting complaints, as reported by consumers for the 

approximately 24,200 credit reporting complaints received by the CFPB. 14 This includes 

approximately 15,800 (65%) about the three national credit reporting agencies – Equifax, 

Experian, and TransUnion. 

FIGURE 7: TYPES OF CREDIT REPORTING COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

 

13 Consumers can submit complaints about various types of consumer reporting agencies, including the three national 

credit reporting agencies and speciality reporting agencies. This section of the Annual Report satisfies the 

requirement of Fair Credit Reporting Act section 611(e), 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(e), that the Bureau submit an annual 

report to Congress about the information gathered about national credit reporting agencies’ responses to credit 

reporting completeness and accuracy complaints. 

14 Consumer Response began handling credit reporting complaints on October 22, 2012. 
20 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

TABLE 3: TYPES OF CREDIT REPORTING COMPLAINTS 

Types of credit reporting complaints %

Incorrect information on credit report (Information is not mine, Account terms, Account status, 

Personal information, Public record, Reinserted previously deleted information) 73% 

Credit reporting company’s investigation (Investigation took too long, Did not get proper notice 

of investigation status or results, Did not receive adequate help over the phone, Problem with 

statement of dispute) 

11% 

Unable to get my credit report or credit score (Problem getting free annual report, Problem 

getting report or credit score) 9% 

Improper use of my credit reporting (Report improperly shared by credit reporting company, 

Received marketing offers after opting out, Report provided to employer without written 

authorization) 

4% 

Credit monitoring or identity protection services (Problem cancelling or closing account, Billing 

dispute, Receiving unwanted marketing or advertising, Account or product terms and 

changes, Problem with fraud alerts) 

3% 

Total Credit Reporting Complaints 100%

This table illustrates that the most common type of credit reporting complaint is about incorrect 

information appearing on the consumer’s credit report. These complaints reflect those where 

the consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of information in a credit report. Of the 

approximately 17,600 such complaints submitted by consumers approximately 10,800 (61%) 

were about the three national credit reporting companies. 

Among consumers’ complaints about incorrect information appearing on their credit report, the 

most common concerns were about incorrect account status and information that does not 

belong to the consumer. Some consumers report having to deal with the reappearance of 

incorrect account information on their credit reports, including inaccurate collection accounts, 

they had previously disputed and corrected. Other consumers express frustration with having to 

correct information that does not belong to them. Many accuracy complaints submitted by 

consumers reflect confusion concerning how public records, such as bankruptcies and liens, may 

be reported on a credit report. 
21 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

For all of the national credit reporting companies, the most common sub-issue for incorrect 

information on credit report complaints relates to account status, including such issues as 

whether a bill was paid on time and whether an account being reported is closed. 

TABLE 4: SUB-ISSUES OF INCORRECT INFORMATION ON CREDIT REPORT COMPLAINTS 

Beyond incorrect information complaints, another common type of credit reporting complaint is 

about issues with credit reporting companies’ investigations of information disputed by 

consumers. Consumers report that credit reporting companies sometimes return findings on 

their disputes within only a few days, and consumers question the depth and validity of such 

quick investigations. Additionally, consumers report frustration when they have submitted 

documentation that they believe proves that the information provided by the data furnisher was 

inaccurate, but no change is made to their credit report. 

Sub-issue for incorrect information 

on credit report complaints Equifax Experian TransUnion National Credit 

Reporting Agencies 

Account status (Paid bill on time, 

account closed, etc.) 43% 44% 45% 44%

Account terms (Creditor name/info, 

balance, payment, etc.) 12% 11% 11% 12%

Information is not mine (Belongs to 

someone else, identity theft, fraud, 

etc.) 

27% 27% 28% 27%

Personal information (Wrong date of 

birth, address, etc.) 5% 6% 5% 5%

Public record (Bankruptcy, judgment, 

etc.) 8% 8% 7% 8%

Reinserted previously deleted 

information 5% 4% 4% 4%

Total Incorrect Information on 

Credit Report Complaints 100% 100% 100% 100%
22 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.5 Consumers’ bank account and service 

complaints 

Figures 8 and 9 show the types of bank account and service complaints, such as complaints 

about checking and savings accounts, as reported by consumers for the approximately 19,000 

complaints received by the CFPB. 

FIGURE 8: TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNTS AND SERVICES CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 

FIGURE 9: TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNT AND SERVICE COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 
23 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

TABLE 5: TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNT AND SERVICE COMPLAINTS 

Types of bank account and service complaints % 

Account opening, closing, or management (Confusing marketing, denial, disclosure, 

fees, closure, interest, statements, joint accounts) 45% 

Deposits and withdrawals (Availability of deposits, withdrawal problems and 

penalties, unauthorized transactions, check cashing, payroll deposit problems, lost or 

missing funds, transaction holds) 

25% 

Problems caused by my funds being low (Overdraft fees, late fees, bounced checks, 

credit reporting) 13% 

Making or receiving payments, sending money to others (Problems with payments by 

check, card, phone or online, unauthorized or fraudulent transactions, money/wire 

transfers) 

11% 

Using a debit or ATM card (Disputed transaction, unauthorized card use, ATM or 

debit card fees, ATM problems) 6% 

Total Bank Account and Service Complaints 100% 

As the table illustrates, the most common type of bank account and service complaint relates to 

opening, closing, or managing the account. These complaints address issues such as account 

maintenance fees, legal processing fees for judgments and levies, changes in account terms, 

confusing marketing, early withdrawal penalties for certificates of deposit, and involuntary 

account closures. Other common complaints relate to deposit and withdrawal issues, such as 

transaction holds, the company's right to offset deposit accounts, and unauthorized debit card 

charges. In this area, many consumers are frustrated by companies’ handling of error disputes 

and requests to stop payment on preauthorized electronic debits. A third common type of 

complaint relates to problems caused by a consumer’s funds being low, including overdraft fees, 

bounced checks, charged-off accounts, and negative reporting to credit reporting agencies. In 

this area, many consumers are frustrated by the way some companies appear to manipulate the 

order in which deposits and withdrawals are posted to consumers’ accounts to maximize 

overdraft fees. 
24 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.6 Consumers’ credit card complaints 

Table 6 shows the most common types of credit card complaints that the CFPB has received as 

reported by consumers. Sixty-six percent of the approximately 16,600 credit card complaints fell 

into these ten categories. 

TABLE 6: MOST COMMON CREDIT CARD COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Most common credit card complaints % 

Billing disputes 19% 

Other 10% 

Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement 8% 

Closing / Cancelling account 7% 

APR or interest rate 6% 

Late fee 4% 

Customer service / Customer relations 3% 

Credit determination 3% 

Credit reporting 3% 

Advertising and marketing 3% 

Credit Card Complaints in Top 10 Types 66% 

As the table illustrates, billing disputes are the most common type of credit card complaint. 

Some consumers are confused and frustrated by the process and by their limited ability to 

challenge inaccuracies on their monthly credit card billing statements. For example, some 

consumers realize only after their claim has been denied that they needed to notify their credit 

card companies within 60 days of any billing errors. In other cases, consumers are not aware 

that companies typically do not stop a merchant charge once the cardholder has authorized it or 

do not override a merchant’s “no-return policy.” Other common types of credit card complaints 

relate to identity theft, fraud or embezzlement, closing and cancelling accounts, and annual 

percentage rates or interest rates. 
25 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.7 Consumers’ consumer loan complaints 

Figures 10 and 11 show the types of consumer loan complaints as reported by consumers for the 

approximately 5,300 consumer loan complaints received by the CFPB. 

FIGURE 10: TYPES OF CONSUMER LOANS CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 

FIGURE 11: TYPES OF CONSUMER LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS

 
26 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

TABLE 7: TYPES OF CONSUMER LOAN COMPLAINTS 

Types of consumer loan complaints % 

Managing the loan, lease, or line of credit (Billing, late fees, damage or loss, insurance 

(GAP, credit, etc.), credit reporting, privacy) 44% 

Taking out the loan or lease / Account terms and changes (Term changes (mid-deal 

changes, changes after closing, rates, fees, etc.), required add-on products, trade-in 

payoff, fraud) 

23% 

Problems when you are unable to pay (Debt collection, repossession, set-off from 

bank account, deficiency, bankruptcy, default) 22% 

Shopping for a loan, lease, or line of credit (Sales tactics or pressure, credit denial, 

confusing advertising or marketing) 11% 

Total Consumer Loan Complaints 100% 

The table illustrates that the most common type of consumer loan complaint pertains to 

managing the loan, lease, or line of credit. Another common type of complaint addresses 

problems consumers have when they are unable to pay, including issues related to debt 

collection, bankruptcy, and default. 
27 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.8 Consumers’ private student loan 

complaints 

Figure 12 shows the types of student loan complaints as reported by consumers for the 

approximately 4,300 student loan complaints received by the CFPB.15

FIGURE 12: TYPES OF STUDENT LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

 

15 Prior to December 18, 2013, consumers submitting student loan complaints could select from three types of 

complaint categories: Getting a loan, Repaying your loan, and Problems when you are unable to pay. Beginning 

on December 18, 2013, the student loan complaint form was updated to make it easier for consumers submitting a 

complaint to categorize the problems they are having with their student loan. Consumers now select from the 

following three types of complaint categories: Getting a loan, Can’t pay my loan, and Dealing with my lender or 

servicer. This report includes the types of complaints submitted under both the original and updated forms. 
28 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

TABLE 8: TYPES OF PRIVATE STUDENT LOAN COMPLAINTS 

Types of private student loan complaints %

Repaying your loan (Fees, billing, deferment, forbearance, fraud, credit reporting) 65% 

Problems when you are unable to pay (Default, debt collection, bankruptcy) 28% 

Getting a loan (Confusing terms, rates, denial, confusing advertising or 

marketing, sales tactics or pressure, financial aid services, recruiting) 4% 

Dealing with lender or servicer 2% 

Unable to pay loan 1% 

Total Student Loan Complaints 100% 

The most common type of student loan complaint relates to repaying the loan, such as fees, 

billing, deferment, forbearance, fraud, and credit reporting. Consumers continue to struggle 

with the limited affordable payment options permitted in their loan agreements. Specifically, 

consumers are unable to refinance or restructure the repayment terms of their loan, either to 

lower monthly payments during periods of financial hardship, or to improve existing terms 

based upon the consumer’s improved credit profile and credit-worthiness. Consumers also 

raised concerns about a range of other servicing problems, including payment processing 

problems, challenges obtaining necessary documentation about their private student loans, 

difficulty obtaining accurate information about their loan status and repayment options, and 

obstacles to accessing basic account information. Another common type of complaint addresses 

problems consumers confront when they are unable to pay, such as issues related to default, 

debt collection, and bankruptcy. 

 
29 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

3.9 Consumers’ money transfer complaints 

Figure 13 shows the types of money transfer complaints reported by consumers for the 

approximately 1,000 money transfer complaints the CFPB has received. 

FIGURE 13: TYPES OF MONEY TRANSFER COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 9: TYPES OF MONEY TRANSFER COMPLAINTS 

Types of money transfer complaints %

 Fraud or scam 41% 

 Other transaction issues (Unauthorized transaction, cancellation, refund, 

 etc.) 23% 

 Money was not available when promised 15% 

 Other service issues 8% 

 Wrong amount charged or received 7% 

 Incorrect or missing disclosures or info 5% 

 Other 1% 

Total Money Transfer Complaints 100% 
30 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

This table illustrates that the most common type of money transfer complaint is about fraud or 

scams. In these cases, the consumer is prompted to send funds as a result of a scam, and 

someone other than the consumer’s intended recipient ultimately receives the funds. For 

example, consumers often complain that they were prompted to transfer funds in response to a 

request for help from a family member or friend, for the purchase of goods or services, the rental 

of an apartment, a loan, a job opportunity, or to pay taxes on lottery earnings. In response to 

such complaints, companies engaged in money transfers define it as a person-to-person service 

and not a commercial service. Thus, they claim no liability when someone other than the 

intended recipient receives the funds, as long as the company complied with its policies and 

procedures and the minimum identification requirements were satisfied by the recipient. 

Another common type of complaint involves issues with other transactions, such as 

unauthorized transactions, cancellations, or refunds. 

3.10 Consumers’ payday loan complaints 

Figure 14 shows the types of payday loan complaints reported by consumers for the 

approximately 1,000 payday loan complaints the CFPB has received. 

FIGURE 14: TYPES OF PAYDAY LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 
31 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

TABLE 10: TYPES OF PAYDAY LOAN COMPLAINTS 

Types of payday loan complaints %

Charged fees or interest I did not expect 37% 

Applied for a loan, but didn't receive money 22% 

Cannot contact lender 15% 

Received a loan I did not apply for 10% 

Lender charged my bank account on wrong day or for wrong amount 8% 

Can't stop lender from charging my bank account 4% 

Payment to account not credited 4% 

Total Payday Loan Complaints 100% 

This table illustrates that the most common type of payday loan or deposit advance (i.e., bank 

payday advance loan) complaint is about being charged unexpected fees or interest. Another 

common type of complaint involves issues with applying for loan, but not receiving the money. 

Consumers also complain about problems with contacting their lender, and about receiving 

loans they did not apply for. 

The remaining complaints involve issues surrounding payments, such as, the use of check 

holding and electronic debit authorization that hands control of the consumer’s bank account 

over to the lender. Most consumers are not aware that the payday contract can authorize the 

lender to withdraw the funds electronically in the event that the consumer stops payment on the 

first check. Additionally, such agreements can allow the payday lender to re-present the check 

several times, causing the consumer to incur a nonsufficient funds fee each time. 

Many consumers are unaware that funds would be taken from the next direct deposit to pay the 

direct deposit advance they took. There is also confusion over the repayment date. Consumers 

with multiple advances and deposits often have difficulty managing a short repayment period 

and will roll-over the loan, inflating the cost (annual percentage rate) of the loan. 

Other common complaints include lack of clarity about repayment of the loan using automatic 

withdrawal features on a bank card, prepaid card, or by direct deposit and disputes with lenders 

about whether the loan had been paid off. 
32 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

The cost and structure of a particular loan can make it difficult for consumers to repay. 

Consumers raised concerns such as the risk of being unable to repay the loan while still having 

enough money left over for other expenses, the high cost of the loan, and aggressive debt 

collection practices in the case of delinquency or default. 

3.11 How companies respond to consumer 

complaints 

Approximately 113,200 (or 69%) of all complaints received between January 1, 2013 and 

December 31, 2013 were sent by Consumer Response to companies for review and response.16

Table 11 shows how companies responded to these complaints during this time period. 

Company responses include descriptions of steps taken or that will be taken, communications 

received from the consumer, any follow-up actions or planned follow-up actions, and 

categorization of the response. Response category options include “closed with monetary relief,” 

“closed with non-monetary relief,” “closed with explanation,” “closed,” “in progress,” and other 

administrative options. Monetary relief is defined as objective, measurable, and verifiable 

monetary relief to the consumer as a direct result of the steps taken or that will be taken in 

response to the complaint. “Closed with non-monetary relief” indicates that the steps taken by 

the company in response to the complaint did not result in monetary relief to the consumer that 

is objective, measurable, and verifiable, but may have addressed some or all of the consumer’s 

complaint involving non-monetary requests. Non-monetary relief is defined as other objective 

and verifiable relief to the consumer as a direct result of the steps taken or that will be taken in 

response to the complaint. “Closed with explanation” indicates that the steps taken by the 

company in response to the complaint included an explanation that was tailored to the 

individual consumer’s complaint. For example, this category would be used if the explanation 

substantively meets the consumer’s desired resolution or explains why no further action will be 

taken. “Closed” indicates that the company closed the complaint without relief – monetary or 

 

16 The remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (18%), found to be incomplete (9%), or 

are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (1% and 3%, respectively). 
33 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

non-monetary – or explanation. Consumers are given the option to review and dispute all 

company closure responses. 

Companies have responded to approximately 93% of complaints17 sent to them and report 

having closed 89% of the complaints sent to them. Table 11 shows how companies have 

responded. 

TABLE 11: HOW COMPANIES HAVE RESPONDED TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS 

 

17 Companies have responded to approximately 104,700 of the 113,200 sent to them for response. 

Company response All Mortgage Debt 

collection

Credit 

reporting

Bank 

account 

or 

service 

Closed with monetary relief 7% 2% 2% 1% 23% 

Closed with non-monetary relief 11% 7% 17% 29% 5% 

Closed with explanation 68% 77% 60% 61% 60% 

Closed 

(without relief or explanation) 2% 3% 3% 1% 4% 

Administrative response 3% 5% 2% 1% 2% 

Company reviewing 7% 6% 16% 8% 5% 

Company did not provide 

a timely response 1% <1% <1% <1% <1%

Total Complaints Sent to 

Companies for Response 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 
34 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Company response All Credit 

card

Consumer 

loan

Student 

loan

Money 

transfer 

Payday 

loan 

Closed with monetary 

relief 7% 22% 8% 8% 17% 8% 

Closed with nonmonetary relief 11% 11% 8% 11% 2% 6% 

Closed with 

explanation 68% 57% 72% 71% 63% 36% 

Closed (without relief 

or explanation) 2% 1% 3% 1% 2% 2% 

Administrative 

response 

3% 2% 1% 1% 2% 11% 

Company reviewing 7% 6% 8% 9% 14% 36% 

Company did not 

provide a timely 

response

1% <1% <1% 1% <1% 1%

Total Complaints 

Sent to Companies 

for Response

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

 
35 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Approximately 11,000 complaints about incorrect information on a credit report have been sent 

to companies for response, including 10,200 sent to the three national credit reporting 

companies. Table 12 shows how the national credit reporting companies had responded to these 

complaints at the end of the reporting period. 

TABLE 12: HOW COMPANIES HAVE RESPONDED TO INCORRECT INFORMATION COMPLAINTS 

Company reported Equifax Experian TransUnion National Credit 

Reporting Agencies 

Company reported closed with 

explanation 45% 66% 75% 61%

Company reported closed with 

non-monetary relief 49% 21% 19% 30%

Company reported closed 0% 0% 0% 0%

Company reported closed with 

monetary relief 0% 0% 0% 0%

Company provided 

administrative response 0% 1% 1% 1%

Company reviewing 6% 12% 5% 8%

Grand Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

Companies have the option to report an amount of monetary relief, where applicable. In 2013, 

companies provided relief amounts in response to more than 8,520 complaints. The median 

amount of relief reported by companies was $154; however, company reports of monetary relief 

amount as well as the amount of relief varies by product. For the approximately 1,255 mortgage 

complaints where companies provided a relief amount, the median amount of relief reported 

was approximately $460. For the more than 3,210 bank account and service complaints where 

companies provided a relief amount, the median amount of relief reported was approximately 

$111. For the approximately 3,090 credit card complaints where companies provided a relief 

amount, the median amount of relief reported was approximately $126. For the approximately 

250 consumer loan complaints where companies provided a relief amount, the median amount 

of relief reported was approximately $274. For the approximately 240 student loan complaints 
36 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

where companies provided a relief amount, the median amount of relief reported was 

approximately $187. For the approximately 100 money transfer complaints where companies 

provided a relief amount, the median amount of relief reported was approximately $185. For the 

approximately 20 payday loan complaints where companies provided a relief amount, the 

median amount of relief reported was approximately $585. Companies rarely report providing 

monetary relief in response to consumers’ debt collection and credit reporting complaints. For 

the approximately 250 debt collection complaints where companies provided a relief amount, 

the median amount of relief reported was approximately $348. For the approximately 100 credit 

reporting complaints where companies provided a relief amount, the median amount of relief 

reported was approximately $33. 

Companies also have the option to provide non-monetary relief in response to complaints. 

Consumers have received a range of non-monetary relief in response to their complaints, such 

as: 

 providing mortgage foreclosure alternatives that do not have direct monetary value to 

the consumer, but that help them to keep their home; 

 stopping harassment from debt collectors; 

 cleaning up consumers’ credit reports by correcting submissions to credit bureaus; 

restoring or removing a credit line; 

 correcting account information, including in credit reports; and 

 addressing formerly unmet customer service issues. 

3.12 Consumers’ feedback about companies’ 

responses 

Once the company responds, the CFPB provides the company’s response to the consumer for 

review. Where the company responds “closed with monetary relief,” “closed with non-monetary 

relief,” “closed with explanation,” or “closed,” consumers are given the option to provide 

feedback on the company’s response. Table 13 shows how consumers responded to the 

approximately 104,700 complaints where they were given the option to provide feedback. 
37 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Consumers are asked to notify the CFPB within 30 days if they want to provide feedback by 

disputing a company’s response. Approximately 21% of consumers disputed the response 

provided by the company while approximately 66% did not dispute the response during the 

feedback period. The rest were pending with consumers at the end of this period. 

TABLE 13: CONSUMER FEEDBACK ABOUT COMPANY RESPONSES 

Consumer review of 

company’s response All Mortgage Debt 

collection

Credit 

reporting18

Bank 

account 

or service 

Consumer did not dispute 

company’s response 66% 66% 65% 60% 69% 

Consumer disputed company’s 

response 

21% 23% 18% 18% 20% 

Pending consumer review of 

company’s response 13% 11% 17% 23% 12% 

Total Responses for 

Consumer Review 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

 

 

18 To the 9,300 inaccurate information complaints responded to by national credit reporting companies where 

consumers were given the option to provide feedback, consumers disputed approximately 15%. Sixty-two percent 

were not disputed by consumers and the remaining 23% were pending with consumers at the end of the period. 
38 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Consumer review of 

company’s response All Credit 

card

Consumer 

loan

Student 

loan

Money 

transfer 

Payday 

loan 

Consumer did not dispute 

company’s response 66% 68% 65% 69% 69% 68% 

Consumer disputed company’s 

response 

21% 21% 24% 21% 16% 12% 

Pending consumer review of 

company’s response 13% 10% 11% 10% 16% 20% 

Total Responses for 

Consumer Review 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

3.13 Consumer Response investigation and 

analysis 

After requesting that companies respond to complaints sent to them for response and giving 

consumers the opportunity to review and provide feedback on company responses, Consumer 

Response prioritizes complaints for investigation based on a review of the complaint, the 

company’s response, and the consumer feedback. Consumer Response seeks to determine why a 

company failed to provide a timely response (if applicable) and whether the consumer’s 

feedback of the company’s response (if applicable) justifies additional review of the company’s 

minimum required actions under the consumer financial protection laws within the CFPB’s 

authority. In the course of an investigation, Consumer Response may ask companies and 

consumers for additional information. In some cases, Consumer Response has referred 

complaints to colleagues in the CFPB’s Division of Supervision, Enforcement, and Fair Lending 

& Equal Opportunity for further consideration. 

 
39 CONSUMER RESPONSE ANNUAL REPORT (JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013) 

Conclusion 

Listening to consumers and reviewing and analyzing their complaints is an integral part of the 

CFPB’s work in understanding issues in the financial marketplace, and helping the market work 

better for consumers. The information shared by consumers and companies throughout the 

complaint process informs the Bureau about business practices that may pose risks to 

consumers and helps the Bureau in its work to supervise companies, enforce Federal consumer 

financial laws, and write better rules and regulations.