March 2016 

 

Consumer Response 

Annual Report 

January 1 – December 31, 2015 
1 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

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. Our Office of Consumer Response (Consumer 

Response) has continued to improve and expand the CFPB’s ability to engage consumers that 

face financial challenges and bring their concerns to the attention of companies. 

The CFPB accepts complaints about financial 

products and services, including mortgages, credit 

cards, auto loans, student loans, deposit accounts, 

debt collection, credit reporting, payday loans, 

consumer loans, and more. As of March 2016, we 

have handled over 834,400 consumer complaints. 

From this wealth of information, we have identified, 

categorized, analyzed, and synthesized what we 

have heard. We have quantified how many of these 

complaints involve mortgages or credit cards or 

debt collection and the specific types of complaints 

that consumers have about these and other 

products. 

In July 2015, the CFPB began publishing monthly complaint reports which include complaint 

data on company performance, complaint volume, state and local information, and product 

trends. The reports provide a high-level snapshot of trends and analyses found in the consumer 

I just want to say thank you so much for quickly 

handling my complaint. I had tried for about a 

month to handle this issue on my own, and 

constantly received the run around from the 

institution. Once I filed a complaint with your 

agency, I received a phone call from the 

institution within one day. Moreover, the 

problem was completely resolved within three 

business days, and I received the refund that 

was due me. Once again, thank you. 

– Consumer from Florida 
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complaints we handle. They can be used to inform the public, industry, researchers, reporters, 

and everyone interested in the financial marketplace. 

Through our public Consumer Complaint Database, launched by Consumer Response in June 

2012, others can learn from consumers’ complaints too. In June 2015, the Bureau started 

allowing consumers to share their specific account of what happened, in their own words, so 

that others may read about and better understand their experiences. A consumer who chooses to 

make her experience public enables more people to exert their power to improve the financial 

marketplace. Publishing these complaint narratives represents a milestone for consumer 

empowerment. Companies also have the option to respond publicly to the substance of the 

consumer complaints. 

Companies have worked with us to improve processing of complaints, which has been a great 

operational success. They have responded to the complaints in a timely manner, which often 

leads to relief and explanations for the consumer. They have recognized our emphasis on 

prioritizing our complaint data in our supervision and enforcement work. Companies have 

increasingly embraced our advice to analyze and address the patterns revealed both by our 

consumer complaint data and by their own customer complaint data, as a guide to changing 

business practices that consumers find harmful. We even have seen them using the public 

database to research complaints made about others in the same markets, which is valuable 

information that is not available from any other sources. 

Through these various approaches, the voices of consumers remain foundational to 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 

make the marketplace a better and safer place. This is good for consumers, for the responsible 

businesses that seek to serve them, and for the American economy as a whole. 

Sincerely, 

Richard Cordray 
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Table of contents

Message from Richard Cordray ................................................................................. 1

Table of contents ......................................................................................................... 3

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

2. How the CFPB handles complaints ................................................................... 11

3. Results ................................................................................................................. 14

3.1 Complaints handled in 2015 ................................................................... 14

3.2 Consumers’ debt collection complaints ...................................................15

3.3 Consumers’ credit reporting complaints ................................................ 18

3.4 Consumers’ mortgage complaints .......................................................... 22

3.5 Consumers’ bank account and service complaints ................................. 25

3.6 Consumers’ credit card complaints ........................................................ 27

3.7 Consumers’ consumer loan complaints ................................................. 29

3.8 Consumers’ student loan complaints ..................................................... 31

3.9 Consumers’ payday loan complaints ...................................................... 33

3.10 Consumers’ prepaid cards complaints ................................................... 35

3.11 Consumers’ money transfer complaints ................................................. 37

3.12 Other financial services complaints ....................................................... 39

3.13 How companies respond to consumer complaints ................................ 41
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3.14 Consumers’ feedback about companies’ responses ............................... 46

3.15 Consumer Response investigation and analysis .................................... 47

3.16 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 48
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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, student loans, vehicle and other consumer loans, credit reporting, money transfers, 

virtual currency, debt collection, payday loans, prepaid cards, and other financial services. 

 

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). 
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FIGURE 1: TYPES OF COMPLAINTS OVER TIME 

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

and services under its authority. 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. 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. Based on feedback from consumers and companies, as well as its own observations, 

Consumer Response identifies new opportunities to improve its processes and implements 

changes. 

Since beginning to accept complaints on July 21, 2011, the CFPB has handled approximately 

834,400 consumer complaints as of March 1, 2016, including 271,600 in 2015. 
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FIGURE 2: COMPLAINTS OVER TIME 

FIGURE 3: COMPLAINT VOLUME BY PRODUCT 2014 AND 2015 
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Year over year, complaint volume has steadily increased, rising 8% from 250,700 in 2014 to 

271,600 in 2015. 

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

Consumer Complaint Database, launched on June 19, 2012.4 The public database was initially 

populated with credit card complaints received on and after June 1, 2012, and 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, 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; 

 November 2013: added debt collection complaints dating back to July 10, 2013; 

 July 2014: added payday loan complaints dating back to November 6, 2013; 

 January 2015: added complaints about prepaid cards, other consumer loans (pawn and 

title loans), and other financial services dating back to July 19, 2014; 

 June 2015: added consumer complaint narratives and optional company public 

responses;5 and 

 February 2016: added tags to identify complaints submitted by older Americans and 

servicemembers and a field indicating whether the consumer consented to publication of 

the narrative. 

 

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). 
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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. Complaints are not 

published if they do not meet all of the publication criteria.6 

The database generally updates nightly, and contains certain individual complaint-level data 

collected by the CFPB, including the type of complaint, the date of submission, the consumer’s 

zip code, and the company about which the consumer submitted the complaint. 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 confidential 

information about consumers’ identities. 

On June 25, 2015, the CFPB began to publish consumer complaint narratives in the Consumer 

Complaint Database. Consumers now have the choice to share in their own words their 

experiences with the consumer financial marketplace. Only those narratives for which opt-in 

consumer consent is obtained and to which a robust personal information scrubbing process is 

applied are eligible for disclosure. The CFPB gives companies the option to respond publicly to 

the substance of the consumer complaints they receive from the CFPB by selecting from a set list 

of public-facing response categories. 

Web-based and user-friendly features of the database include the ability to filter data based on 

specific search criteria or tags, to aggregate data in various ways, such as by complaint type, 

company, state, date, or any combination of available variables, and to download data. 

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

new applications. 

 

5 See Disclosure of Consumer Complaint Narrative Data, 80 Fed. Reg. 15572 (March 24, 2015). 

6 Ibid.
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www.consumerfinance.gov/complaintdatabase

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. 

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 handles and by sharing certain data with the public 

through the Consumer Complaint Database. 

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

report provides an overview of the handling and analysis of complaints by the Bureau from 

January 1 through December 31, 2015.7

 

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). 
11 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

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. 

The CFPB’s Consumer Response team screens complaints submitted by consumers based on 

several criteria, including whether the complaint falls within the Bureau’s authority and whether 

the complaint is complete. 

 
12 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

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 determines what 

action to take in response. The company then reports back to the consumer and the CFPB via 

the secure company portal, and the Bureau invites the consumer to review the response and 

provide feedback. 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. 

The process seeks to ensure that consumers receive timely responses to their complaints and 

that the Bureau, other regulators, consumers, and the marketplace have the complaint 

information needed to improve the functioning of the consumer financial markets for such 

products and services. 

 

 

8 In some cases, Consumer Response refers or sends a complaint to another regulator, for example, if a particular 

complaint does not involve a product or market that is within the Bureau’s jurisdiction or one that is not currently 

being handled by the Bureau, or in cases where the company is not yet registered to respond to complaints in our 

system. Complaints handled by the Bureau, including those sent to other regulators, serve to inform the Bureau in its 

work to supervise companies, to enforce consumer financial laws, to write better rules and regulations, and to educate 

and engage consumers. 
13 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

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

the Office of Servicemember Affairs coordinates with Consumer Response on complaints 

submitted by or on behalf of a servicemember or the spouse or dependent of a servicemember. 

For these purposes, a servicemember includes as anyone who self-identifies as active duty, 

National Guard, or Reservist, as well as those who previously served and identify as a Veteran or 

retiree. 
14 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

3. Results 

3.1 Complaints handled in 2015 

Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, the CFPB handled approximately 271,600 

consumer complaints.9 

FIGURE 4: CONSUMER COMPLAINTS BY PRODUCT10

Approximately 71% of all consumer complaints were submitted through the CFPB’s website and 

 

9 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, 2016. 

10 Percentages may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding. 
15 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

7% via telephone calls. Referrals accounted for 12% of all complaints handled by the CFPB. 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.11 

3.2 Consumers’ debt collection complaints 

Figures 5 and 6 and Table 1 show the types of debt collection complaints reported by consumers 

for the approximately 85,200 debt collection complaints the CFPB has handled. Approximately 

40,300 (or 47%) of all debt collection complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by 

Consumer Response to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have 

been referred to other regulatory agencies (42%), found to be incomplete (6%), or are pending 

with the consumer or the CFPB (1% and 4%, respectively). These complaints include first-party 

(creditors collecting on their own debts) and third-party collections. 

FIGURE 5: TYPES OF DEBT CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 

Debt collection complaints led both the daily and monthly volume of complaints handled by the 

CFPB in 2015. The issues that consumers selected in 2015 were similar to the issues they 

selected in 2014. 

 

11 Percentages may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding. 
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FIGURE 6: TYPES OF DEBT COLLECTION COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 1: TYPES OF DEBT COLLECTION COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

The most common type of debt collection complaint is about continued attempts to collect a 

debt that the consumer reports is not owed. In many of these cases, the attempt to collect the 

debt is not itself the problem; rather, consumers assert that the calculation of the amount of 

underlying debt is inaccurate or unfair. In other cases, the consumer complains about the 

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) 40% 

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) 

18% 

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) 15% 

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) 

11% 

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% 

Total Debt Collection Complaints 100%
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furnishing of information to credit reporting agencies. These complaints, which are often 

consistent with complaints consumers submitted to the Bureau about credit reporting, suggest 

that consumers frequently only learn about debt collection accounts when they check their 

credit reports. 

Complaints about debt collectors’ communications tactics (telephone collections especially) are 

also very common. In addition to the complaints about collection calls, which consumers say are 

too frequent or placed at inconvenient times of the day, there were a significant number of 

complaints about calls placed to third parties, calls to the consumer’s place of employment, and 

calls where the collector threatened to take legal action. 

Consumers have complained about the lack of debt verification from debt collectors. Consumers 

often ask debt collectors for additional documentation to support the debt that is being 

collected. The lack of documentation provided by some debt collectors appears to frustrate 

consumers, especially when the documentation is a simple invoice or bill for the services or 

goods that were the subject of the debt being collected. There are a number of collectors that 

reportedly respond to any consumer complaints by closing the account and returning it to their 

client. 

Many of the trends identified in 2014 continued into 2015: some consumers complained about 

debt collectors asking for payments on time-barred debt, while other consumers complained 

about finding collection accounts on their credit reports, even though they never received an 

initial notice from the debt collector (i.e., passive collections or parking). Consumers submitting 

medical debt collection complaints increased slightly in 2015. These complaints often focused on 

the consumer’s belief that the insurance should have or already paid off the debt being collected. 

Consumers also report that their ability to get an accurate accounting from the debt collector of 

the amount owed is a common problem. 
18 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

3.3 Consumers’ credit reporting complaints 

Figure 7 and Table 2 show the types of credit reporting complaints, as reported by consumers 

for the approximately 55,000 credit reporting complaints handled by the CFPB. This includes 

approximately 39,200 (71%) about the three largest nationwide credit reporting companies – 

Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Approximately 34,400 (or 62%) of all credit reporting 

complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer Response to companies for 

review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies 

(1%), found to be incomplete (34%), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (2% and 1%, 

respectively). 

FIGURE 7: TYPES OF CREDIT REPORTING COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 
19 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 2: TYPES OF CREDIT REPORTING COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

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) 79% 

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) 

8% 

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

report or credit score) 6% 

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 continues to be 

about incorrect information appearing on the consumer’s credit report, such as information that 

does not belong to the consumer, incorrect account status, and incorrect personal information. 

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. These complaints frequently involve debt collection items on 

consumers’ reports. In some cases, consumers report having paid the debt appearing on their 

report. In others, they report the debt is no longer due because the debt is too old to be enforced 

in court, because the debt belongs to a different consumer, or because they do not recognize the 

debt. 

Other consumers express frustration with having to correct information that does not belong to 

them. Many accuracy complaints submitted by consumers reflect confusion about how public 
20 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

records, such as bankruptcies and liens, may be reported on a credit report. These consumers 

frequently mention delays in updating public records, problems correcting inaccurate records, 

and public records being incorrectly matched to their credit reports. 

Consumers consistently have trouble accessing their credit reports due to rigorous identity 

authentication questions. If denied access to their report because they failed online 

authentication, the option available is to mail copies of sensitive, identifying documents, which 

consumers feel is time-consuming and potentially unsecure. 

Another common type of 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. Consumers frequently report 

difficulty disputing directly with the credit reporting companies. One common issue mentioned 

in these complaints is identity theft. Victims of identity theft often encounter difficulty 

correcting inaccuracies in their reports with both lenders and credit reporting companies. 

Tables 3 and 4 take a closer look at the two largest issue categories chosen by consumers that 

shows the extent to which the sub-issues that consumers choose when submitting complaints 

about inaccurate information on their credit reports and credit reporting companies’ 

investigations are similar at the three national credit reporting companies. While Transunion 

has an overall smaller volume of complaints, the breakdown of issues is fairly similar between 

companies, with a few small exceptions. For example, Table 4 shows that Experian does appear 

to receive proportionally more complaints related to investigation results. 

 
21 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 3: SUB-ISSUES OF INCORRECT INFORMATION ON CREDIT REPORTING COMPLAINTS 

Sub-issue for incorrect information 

on credit report complaints Equifax Experian TransUnion 

National credit 

reporting 

companies 

Account status (Paid bill on time, 

account closed, etc.) 43% 46% 44% 44% 

Information is not mine (Belongs to 

someone else, identity theft, fraud, 

etc.) 

29% 29% 27% 28% 

Account terms (Creditor name/info, 

balance, payment, etc.) 9% 8% 10% 9% 

Public record (Bankruptcy, judgment, 

etc.) 9% 7% 8% 8% 

Personal information (Wrong date of 

birth, address, etc.) 7% 6% 8% 7% 

Reinserted previously deleted 

information 4% 3% 3% 3% 

Total Incorrect Information on 

Credit Report Complaints 100% 100% 100% 100% 

The three national credit reporting companies reported providing relief – monetary or 

nonmonetary – in response to approximately 24% of incorrect information complaints and 

complaints about the credit reporting companies’ investigations sent to them for response. 

Providing relief to consumers varies significantly by company with Experian providing relief in 

response to approximately 43% of complaints, Transunion providing relief in response to 

approximately 21% of complaints, and Equifax providing relief in response to approximately 

10% of complaints. 

 
22 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 4: SUB-ISSUES OF CREDIT REPORTING COMPANY’S INVESTIGATION COMPLAINTS 

Sub-issue for credit reporting 

company’s investigation complaints Equifax Experian TransUnion 

National credit 

reporting 

companies 

No notice of investigation status or result 36% 47% 36% 40% 

Problem with statement of dispute 36% 31% 34% 34% 

Investigation took too long 18% 14% 20% 17% 

Inadequate help over the phone 10% 8% 10% 9% 

Total Credit Reporting Company’s 

Investigation Complaints 100% 100% 100% 100% 

3.4 Consumers’ mortgage complaints 

Figures 8 and 9 and Table 5 show the types of mortgage complaints reported by consumers for 

the approximately 50,800 mortgage complaints the CFPB has handled. Approximately 43,800 

(or 86%) of all mortgage complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer 

Response to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred 

to other regulatory agencies (9%), found to be incomplete (3%), or are pending with the 

consumer or the CFPB (1% and 1%, respectively). 

FIGURE 8: TYPES OF MORTGAGE PRODUCTS CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 
23 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 9: TYPES OF MORTGAGE COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 5: TYPES OF MORTGAGE COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

The most common topic in mortgage complaints involves problems consumers face when they 

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

foreclosures. In particular, consumers continue to complain about delays and ambiguity in the 

review of their modification applications. Some consumers complained that they were not 

considered for all available loss mitigation options, were incorrectly denied a modification, or 

that the terms of the approved modification were unfavorable. Consumers have also submitted 

complaints expressing concern that their single point of contact changes frequently while their 

loss modification application is under review. Consumers with successfully completed loan 

modifications have complained that some servicers do not amend derogatory credit reporting 

accrued by consumers during trial periods although documents provided to the consumers by 

servicers indicated that they would do so. 

Types of mortgage complaints % 

Problems when you are unable to pay (Loan modification, collection, foreclosure) 43% 

Making payments (Loan servicing, payments, escrow accounts) 37% 

Applying for the loan (Application, originator, mortgage broker) 9% 

Signing the agreement (Settlement process and costs) 5% 

Receiving a credit offer (Credit decision/Underwriting) 3% 

Other 3% 

Total Mortgage Complaints 100% 
24 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

Consumers also complained about issues they encountered while pursuing short sales or after 

foreclosure proceedings had been initiated. Consumers seeking short sales 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 about the loan account being incorrectly reported as a 

foreclosure. Consumers facing foreclosure have expressed 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 actual 

amount of fees the consumer must pay to reinstate the loan can be confusing. 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. 

Finally, consumers complain about dual tracking and express concern that the servicer is 

proceeding with foreclosure proceedings although their modification application is still under 

review. 

Consumers also express concern over difficulties they experience when the servicing of their 

loan is transferred and complain about fees charged by the prior servicer, unexplained escrow 

deficiencies, issues with the new servicer accepting the prior servicer’s modification, and 

communication between the old and new servicer (especially when loss mitigation efforts are 

ongoing). Consumers say payments increase unexpectedly; there is difficulty understanding who 

they should pay, and they were not informed properly about the transfer. Consumers describe 

transfers being even more problematic when done in the middle of modification or foreclosure 

proceedings, with some consumers even asserting they would not have lost their home if the 

loan had not been transferred. 

Other common types of mortgage complaints involve issues related to posting of payments and 

management of escrow accounts. Consumers describe companies not accepting payments less 

than the full balance owed, or having payments misapplied once they are handled. Consumers 

claim that companies did not apply payments in the way the consumer instructed. Consumers 

also complain that the servicer has not made timely disbursements for tax payments or 

insurance premiums and in some instances has force placed insurance on their account in error. 

In some cases, the untimely disbursement of tax payments has resulted in late fees and penalties 

being assessed to the consumer’s account. 

Consumer complaints about mortgage originations often involve the lengthy application and 
25 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

approval processes and unauthorized credit inquiries. Consumers also complain about delayed 

loan denials that occurred just before settlement but were based upon information that was 

disclosed early in the application process (i.e., bankruptcy, lack of employment history). 

Consumers express frustration that fees were charged even though the loan originator knew that 

the loan would not be approved. A number of complaints involved the lender’s refusal to honor 

rate-locks and concerns about disclosure of the terms of loans with variable interest rates. 

Consumers consistently describe trouble communicating with their servicers. Complaints where 

consumers assert that they sent documents but companies report never having received them 

are common. Consumers say that attempts to follow up on these issues typically result in the 

company requesting that the consumer re-send the documents or forms in question. This is 

common in both mortgage origination complaints as well as throughout the loss mitigation and 

foreclosure processes. 

3.5 Consumers’ bank account and service 

complaints 

Figures 10 and 11 and Table 6 show the types of bank account and service complaints, such as 

complaints about checking and savings accounts, as reported by consumers for the 

approximately 22,400 complaints handled by the CFPB. Approximately 17,300 (or 77%) of all 

bank account or services complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer 

Response to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred 

to other regulatory agencies (16%), found to be incomplete (4%), or are pending with the 

consumer or the CFPB (1% and 1%, respectively). 

FIGURE 10: TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNTS AND SERVICES CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 
26 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 11: TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNT AND SERVICE COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 6: TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNT AND SERVICE COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Types of bank account and service complaints % 

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

closure, interest, statements, joint accounts) 42% 

Deposits and withdrawals (Availability of deposits, withdrawal problems and penalties, 

unauthorized transactions, check cashing, payroll deposit problems, lost or missing funds, 

transaction holds) 

26% 

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

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

transfers) 

13% 

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

reporting) 10% 

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

card fees, ATM problems) 9% 

Total Bank Account and Service Complaints 100% 

The most common type of bank account and service complaint continues to relate to opening, 

closing, or managing the account. Some consumers complain they were denied the ability to 

open an account, and were often uncertain as to why a company refused to open an account. 

Consumers also raised concerns about issues experienced at the time of the account opening 

concerning eligibility for bonuses, account features, and promotions for specific products. Other 

consumers submitted complaints about companies’ decisions to close deposit accounts. They 

often noted that no reason for the action was provided. Some consumers mentioned difficulties 

opening accounts due to adverse credit reports resulting from errors, identity theft claims, 

misunderstandings, and delayed updates for charged off accounts that have been settled or paid. 
27 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

These complaints also 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 use offset to remove funds from a deposit account, and unauthorized 

debit card charges. Consumers cited early cut off times for same day deposits, holds placed on 

checks at the time of deposit, mobile wallet deposit availability, and extended holds placed after 

a deposit was made. In this area, many consumers are frustrated by companies’ handling of 

error disputes and requests to stop payment on preauthorized electronic debits. Another 

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 

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

seems to maximize overdraft fees. 

Consumers also complain about delays in the investigation of their dispute claims. In particular, 

they express concern that companies do not consider the information that consumers submit to 

support their claim or conduct sufficient research to assess the issues in dispute. Some 

consumers complain that they have difficulty obtaining authorization to access a decedent’s 

account even after presenting the company with the required documentation. Other consumers 

complain that they do not receive monthly billing statements on a regular basis. 

3.6 Consumers’ credit card complaints 

Table 7 shows the most common types of credit card complaints that the CFPB has handled as 

reported by consumers. Seventy-four percent of the approximately 22,200 credit card 

complaints fell into these ten categories. Approximately 17,500 (or 79%) of all credit card 

complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer Response to companies for 

review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies 

(16%), found to be incomplete (4%), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (1% and 1%, 

respectively). 

 
28 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 7: MOST COMMON CREDIT CARD COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Most common credit card complaints % 

Billing disputes 16% 

Other 12% 

Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement 11% 

Closing / Cancelling account 8% 

Delinquent Account 5% 

Customer service / Customer relations 5% 

 APR or interest rate 4% 

 Advertising and marketing 4% 

 Late fee 4% 

 Transaction Issue 3% 

Credit Card Complaints in Top 10 Types 72% 

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

Consumers continue to be confused and frustrated by the process and by their limited ability to 

challenge inaccuracies on their monthly credit card billing statements outside of disputing the 

charge directly with the company or submitting a complaint with the CFPB. 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.” 

Consumers also complain about the closure of their account without their knowledge or consent. 

In most of these situations, the company stated that the consumer’s account was closed because 

of default or suspected fraud. Alternatively, some consumers complain that although they 

requested that the company close their account, it remained open. 

Consumers regularly express confusion about how late fees are assessed to their credit card 

accounts. Consumers frequently report that the company did not make it clear that payments 
29 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

received after a particular cut-off time would be posted the next business day and considered 

late. 

Consumers continue to submit complaints about deferred interest programs. Many consumers 

state that the terms of these programs were not adequately explained to them. Specifically, some 

consumers thought that no interest charges would be incurred during the deferral period 

regardless of whether the debt is paid in full. 

Another common concern for consumers is their inability to allocate payments as they desire. 

This is more common for consumers with multiple deferred billing promotions or same rate 

balances such as zero percent promotions with different expiration dates. Changing interest 

rates, and a lack of clarity about when rate changes occur, are also a major cause for concern for 

consumers. 

Consumers routinely complain that they are not properly informed that their credit limit could 

be decreased without advance notice. In many instances, the company responded that the 

reduction in the credit limit was due to the company’s reevaluation of the consumer’s credit 

worthiness. 

3.7 Consumers’ consumer loan complaints 

Figures 12 and 13 and Table 8 show the types of consumer loan complaints, such as complaints 

about installment loans, vehicle loans and leases, personal lines of credit, and pawn and title 

loans reported by consumers for the approximately 13,500 consumer loan complaints handled 

by the CFPB.12 Approximately 8,000 (or 60%) of all consumer loan complaints handled by the 

CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer Response to companies for review and response. The 

remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (30%), found to be 

incomplete (7%), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (1% and 3%, respectively). 

 

12 The Bureau began handling complaints about pawn and title loans as part of the consumer loan complaint category 

on July 19, 2014.
30 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 12: TYPES OF CONSUMER LOANS CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 

FIGURE 13: TYPES OF CONSUMER LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS

TABLE 8: TYPES OF CONSUMER LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

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) 42% 

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

account, deficiency, bankruptcy, default) 24% 

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) 

20% 

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

confusing advertising or marketing) 11% 

Other 3% 

Total Consumer Loan Complaints 100% 
31 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

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

managing the loan, lease, or line of credit. Other common types of complaints address problems 

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

bankruptcy, default, and problems when taking out the loan or lease, such as term changes. 

Consumers complain about “bait and switch” experiences where the lender offers very favorable 

terms to attract their interest in a product and then changes those terms right before the 

contract is consummated. Consumers complain that such behavior is confusing and they often 

end up paying much more for a loan than they were initially told. Consumers also complained 

about the transmission of funds drawn on their line of credit with respect to whether the funds 

were issued to them via check, as they requested, or direct deposited into an account held at the 

same institution. In the latter case, funds the consumer draws on a line of credit may be 

deposited in a joint account against the consumer’s wishes and be accessible by other 

accountholders. 

3.8 Consumers’ student loan complaints 

Figure 14 and Table 9 show the types of student loan complaints as reported by consumers for 

the approximately 7,300 student loan complaints handled by the CFPB. Approximately 5,000 

(or 69%) of all student loans complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer 

Response to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred 

to other regulatory agencies (23%), found to be incomplete (5%), or are pending with the 

consumer or the CFPB (1% and 1%, respectively).
32 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 14: TYPES OF STUDENT LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 9: TYPES OF STUDENT LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Types of student loan complaints % 

Dealing with lender or servicer (Making payments, getting information about my loan. 

Managing my account) 62% 

Can’t repay my loan (Fees, default, bankruptcy, billing, deferment, forbearance, 

fraud, credit reporting) 33% 

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

marketing, sales tactics or pressure, financial aid services, recruiting) 5% 

Total Student Loan Complaints 100% 

The most common type of student loan complaint relates to dealing with a lender or servicer 

and includes issues such as making payments, getting information about a loan, and managing 

an account. Consumers raised concerns about a range of servicing problems, including payment 

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

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

obstacles to accessing basic account information. Consumers also express confusion about the 

difference between their private and federal student loans, specifically when it comes to 

forbearance and deferment options. 

Another common type of complaint involves problems consumers confront when they are 

unable to pay, such as issues related to default, debt collection, and bankruptcy. Consumers 

report that they continue to struggle with the limited affordable payment options permitted in 

their loan agreements. Specifically, consumers say they 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. 
33 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

3.9 Consumers’ payday loan complaints 

Figures 15 and 16 and Table 10 show the types of payday loan complaints reported by consumers 

for the approximately 5,500 payday loan complaints the CFPB has handled. Approximately 

1,900 (or 34%) of all payday complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer 

Response to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred 

to other regulatory agencies (40%), found to be incomplete (14%), or are pending with the 

consumer or the CFPB (2% and 10%, respectively). 

FIGURE 15: TYPES OF PAYDAY LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

FIGURE 16: TYPES OF PAYDAY LOANS CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT 

Of the 5,500 payday loan complaints submitted by consumers, approximately 57% were about 

problems consumers experienced after obtaining a payday loan online. Approximately 15% 

reported problems when obtaining a payday loan in person or at a store. For the remaining 

approximately 28% complaints, the consumer did not indicate how the loan was obtained. 
34 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 10: TYPES OF PAYDAY LOAN COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS, BY TYPE OF LOAN 

Types of Payday Complaints In person / at the 

store Online Not stated Total

Cannot contact lender 13% 53% 34% 31% 

Charged fees or interest I did not expect 19% 65% 16% 28% 

 Received a loan I did not apply for 6% 43% 51% 16% 

 Applied for a loan, but didn’t receive money 10% 67% 24% 8% 

 Payment to account not credited 25% 58% 17% 7% 

 Can’t stop lender from charging my bank account 21% 66% 13% 6% 

Lender charged my bank account on wrong day or 

for wrong amount 33% 51% 17% 3% 

The most common type of payday loan or deposit advance (i.e., bank payday advance loan) 

complaint is about problems with contacting the lender. Another common type of complaint 

involves being charged unexpected fees or interest and receiving loans they did not apply for. 

Consumers also complain about applying for the loan, but not receiving money from the lender. 

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. Consumers frequently report that they are not aware that the payday 

contracts sometimes authorize the lender to withdraw funds electronically. Additionally, 

consumers complain that payday lenders re-present a check several times, causing the consumer 

to incur multiple nonsufficient funds or overdraft fees. 

Many consumers report that they were unaware that funds would be taken from the next direct 

deposit to pay for a recent direct deposit advance. Consumers also report widespread confusion 

over repayment dates. Consumers with multiple advances often have difficulty managing a short 

repayment period and will roll-over the loan, inflating the total cost 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. 
35 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

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. 

Consumers also submit debt collection complaints to the Bureau that are related to payday 

loans. In addition to the 5,500 payday complaints handled during 2015, the CFPB has also 

handled 9,300 debt collection complaints where the source of the debt is a payday loan or loans. 

These payday-related debt collection complaints account for nearly 11% of all debt collection 

complaints handled by the CFPB. 

3.10 Consumers’ prepaid cards complaints 

Figure 17 and Table 11 show the types of prepaid card complaints reported by consumers for the 

approximately 3,000 prepaid card complaints the CFPB has handled. Approximately 1,800 (or 

59%) of all prepaid complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer Response 

to companies for review and response. The remaining complaints have been referred to other 

regulatory agencies (30%), found to be incomplete (8%), or are pending with the consumer or 

the CFPB (1% and 2%, respectively). 
36 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 17: TYPES OF PREPAID CARD COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 11: TYPES OF PREPAID CARD COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Types of prepaid card complaints % 

Managing, opening, or closing your account 33% 

Unauthorized transactions or other transaction issues 31% 

Fraud or scam 21% 

Adding money 6% 

Fees 6% 

Advertising, marketing, or disclosures 3% 

Overdraft, savings or rewards features 1% 

Total Prepaid Card Complaints 100% 

The most common type of prepaid card complaint involved managing, opening, or closing a 

prepaid card account. Another common type of complaint was about unauthorized transactions 

or other transaction issues. Consumers are frustrated that they are charged an inquiry fee when 

they call to obtain the balance on the card. Consumers appear to be confused about the 

application of various fees related to the maintenance of the account, including fees that are 

assessed when funds are deposited on the card or withdrawn from the card. Consumers also 

commonly complain about frauds and scams in relation to prepaid cards. 

The remaining complaints involved issues with fees, adding money to a reloadable prepaid card, 

dealing with potentially misleading advertising or marketing, or not being properly 
37 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

compensated on rewards. Consumers also complained that they did not know that prepaid cards 

expire and that they have experienced differences in error resolution procedures among issuers. 

3.11 Consumers’ money transfer complaints 

Figures 18 and 19 and Table 12 show the types of money transfer complaints reported by 

consumers for the approximately 2,400 money transfer complaints the CFPB has handled. 

Approximately 1,600 (or 69%) of all money transfer complaints handled by the CFPB in 2015 

were sent by Consumer Response to companies for review and response. The remaining 

complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (21%), found to be incomplete (7%), 

or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (1% and 2%, respectively). 

FIGURE 18: TYPES OF MONEY TRANSFER COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

FIGURE 19: TYPES OF MONEY TRANSFER COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 
38 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 12: TYPES OF MONEY TRANSFER COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Types of money transfer complaints % 

 Fraud or scam 43% 

 Other transaction issues (Unauthorized transaction, cancellation, refund, 

 etc.) 24% 

 Money was not available when promised 16% 

 Other service issues 8% 

 Wrong amount charged or received 5% 

 Incorrect or missing disclosures or info 4% 

Total Money Transfer Complaints 100% 

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 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 the refusal to cancel transactions or 

honor refunds the consumer believes the company should provide them. 

Consumer complaints about money transfers frequently involve attempts by consumers to remit 

money to family members, both domestically and internationally. A number of consumers 

indicated they regularly use money transfers to provide for basics, including: school fees, 

support for elderly relatives, and other basic living expenses. Consumers often submit 

complaints that the transfer recipients did not receive the money transfer, the amount received 

was smaller than expected, or about significant and unanticipated delays. Many of these 

consumers state that they have successfully completed similar transactions previously without 

issues. 
39 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

Customer service and access to information about the status of transfers, investigations into 

transfers, and other money transfer processes can be sources of frustration for consumers. 

When contacting customer service, consumers report that they receive inadequate or confusing 

information, experience long hold times, or are simply unable to reach customer service 

representatives. Even when consumers do eventually receive information, they often find that 

the explanations for problems they encountered are insufficient and do not provide them with 

the means to prevent similar problems in the future. 

Some consumers who send international transfers mentioned problems with the transfer 

amount, transfer fees and taxes, and exchange rates. Some consumers complain that remittance 

transfer providers charge them a higher exchange rate than the exchange rate reported in major 

newspapers. A number of consumers also reported that the funds were not received in the same 

currency in which the transfer is funded (e.g., U.S. Dollars). 

3.12 Other financial services complaints 

Figure 20 and Table 13 show the types of other financial services complaints reported by 

consumers for the approximately 1,900 other financial services complaints the CFPB has 

handled. Approximately 300 (or 16%) of all other financial services complaints handled by the 

CFPB in 2015 were sent by Consumer Response to companies for review and response. The 

remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (60%), found to be 

incomplete (12%), or are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (2% and 9%, respectively). 
40 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 20: TYPES OF OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

TABLE 13: TYPES OF OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLAINTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS 

Types of other financial services complaints % 

Fraud or Scam 50% 

Customer service/Customer relations 21% 

Unexpected/Other Fees 8% 

Excessive Fees 7% 

Advertising and marketing 6% 

Disclosures 5% 

Lost or stolen check 2% 

Lost or stolen money order 1% 

Incorrect exchange rate 0.6% 

Total other financial services 100% 

Many other financial service complaints relate to credit repair or debt settlement. In particular, 

consumers report a large number of instances of upfront fees for both debt settlement and credit 

repair services. In some cases, existing law prohibits these upfront fees. Consumers should be 

aware of the potential for scams in both of these areas. 
41 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

Consumers who submit check cashing complaints frequently mention the high costs. This is 

especially common for consumers who do not have a bank account at the institution where they 

are attempting to cash a check. A number of consumers also complained about being unable to 

cash checks. In many instances these checks were not cashed because of recommendations 

made by check authorization and warranty companies. 

Consumers also complain about difficulties redeeming money orders and about problems that 

arise when money orders are lost. In many of these complaints, consumers express 

dissatisfaction with the error resolution processes available to them and the length of time 

required to resolve errors. 

3.13 How companies respond to consumer 

complaints 

Approximately 172,200 (or 63%) of all complaints handled by the CFPB between January 1, 

2015 and December 31, 2015 were sent by Consumer Response to companies for review and 

response.13 Table 14 shows how companies responded to these complaints during this time 

period. Company responses include descriptions of steps that have been or that will be taken, 

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

actions, and a 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 that 

have been 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 

 

13 The remaining complaints have been referred to other regulatory agencies (22%), found to be incomplete (11%), or 

are pending with the consumer or the CFPB (1% and 3%, respectively). 
42 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

addressed some or all of the consumer’s complaint involving non-monetary requests. “Nonmonetary relief” is defined as other objective and verifiable relief to the consumer as a direct 

result of the steps that have been 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 non-monetary – or explanation. Consumers 

are given the option to review and dispute all company closure responses. 

Companies have responded to approximately 95% of complaints14 sent to them and report 

having closed 91% of the complaints sent to them in 2015. Table 14 shows how companies have 

responded. 

 

14 Companies have responded to approximately 164,000 of the 172,200 sent to them for response. 
43 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 14: HOW COMPANIES HAVE RESPONDED TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS 

Closed 

with 

monetary 

relief 

Closed 

with nonmonetary 

relief 

Closed 

with 

explanation

Closed 

(without 

relief or 

explanation)

Administrative 

response 

Company 

reviewing

Company 

did not 

provide a 

timely 

response 

Debt collection 1% 15% 67% 4% 1% 3% 8% 

Credit reporting 0% 25% 70% 0% 1% 4% 0% 

Mortgage 3% 5% 81% 2% 3% 5% 2% 

Bank account or 

services 18% 5% 68% 3% 1% 5% 1% 

Credit card 19% 11% 64% 1% 1% 4% 0% 

Consumer loan 6% 7% 77% 1% 2% 4% 3% 

Student loans 5% 6% 83% 1% 1% 4% 1% 

Payday loan 4% 3% 62% 3% 15% 2% 11% 

Prepaid 24% 19% 36% 1% 1% 18% 1% 

Money transfer 12% 2% 76% 1% 0% 6% 3% 

Other financial 

services 10% 5% 71% 2% 1% 4% 7% 

All 6% 12% 72% 2% 2% 4% 3% 
44 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

TABLE 15: UNTIMELY COMPANY RESPONSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF COMPLAINTS SENT TO COMPANY 

Closed 

with 

monetary 

relief

Closed 

with nonmonetary 

relief

Closed with 

explanation

Closed 

(without 

relief or 

explanation)

Administrative 

response

Company 

reviewing

No 

response 

Debt 

collection 0% 5% 48% 10% 2% 1% 33% 

Credit 

reporting 2% 15% 49% 9% 2% 0% 24% 

Mortgage 2% 2% 64% 4% 4% 1% 22% 

Bank account 

or services 16% 2% 72% 4% 0% 0% 7% 

Credit card 12% 6% 57% 4% 1% 0% 19% 

Consumer 

loan 3% 6% 47% 4% 3% 1% 36% 

Student loans 4% 3% 74% 7% 4% 0% 8% 

Payday loan 3% 2% 41% 4% 2% 1% 48% 

Prepaid 21% 21% 36% 0% 0% 0% 21% 

Money 

transfer 5% 0% 67% 2% 2% 0% 23% 

Other 

financial 

services 

5% 0% 27% 9% 0% 0% 59% 

All 2% 4% 51% 9% 2% 1% 31% 

Companies have the option to identify their responses to particular complaints as being “Closed 

with non-monetary relief” when they provide non-monetary relief in response to complaints. In 

such cases, consumers have received a range of non-monetary relief, such as: 

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

the consumer, but that help them keep their home; 
45 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

 stopping harassment from debt collectors; 

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

restoring or removing a credit line from a credit file; 

 correcting account information, including in credit reports; and 

 addressing formerly unmet customer service issues. 

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

2015, companies provided relief amounts in response to more than 9,700 complaints. For 

companies which have reported monetary relief, the median amount of relief reported was $134; 

however, the amount varies by product, ranging from a median of $500 in relief for mortgage 

complaints to $23 in relief for credit reporting complaints. 

TABLE 16: MONETARY RELIEF REPORTED BY COMPANIES 

 

Product Number of complaints Median amount

Debt collection 400 $317 

Credit reporting 170 $23 

Mortgage 1,240 $500 

Bank account and services 3,170 $105 

Credit card 3,290 $100 

Consumer loan 460 $263 

Student loans 240 $173 

Payday loan 80 $347 

Prepaid 440 $371 

Money transfer 190 $100 

Other financial services 30 $105 

Overall 9,730 $134 
46 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

3.14 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. Figure 21 shows how consumers responded to the 

approximately 157,300 complaints where they were given the option to provide feedback. 

Approximately 20% of consumers disputed the response provided by the company while 

approximately 65% did not dispute the response during the feedback period. The rest were 

pending with consumers at the end of December 31, 2015. 
47 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

FIGURE 21: CONSUMER FEEDBACK ABOUT COMPANY RESPONSES 

3.15 Consumer Response investigation and 

analysis 

Consumer Response analyzes consumer complaints, including the accuracy, completeness, and 

timeliness of a company’s responses as well as consumers’ feedback about that company’s 

responses, to ensure that consumers receive timely responses to their complaints and that the 

Bureau and other regulators, consumers, and the marketplace have the complaint information 

needed to improve the functioning of the consumer financial markets for such products and 

services. Consumer Response uses a variety of approaches to analyze consumer complaints 

including, for example, cohort and text analytics to identify trends and possible consumer harm. 

 

Debt collection

Credit reporting

Mortgage

Bank account or services

Credit card

Consumer loan

Student loans

Payday loan

Prepaid

Money transfer

Other financial services

12%

14%

14%

16%

14%

14%

12%

14%

41%

19%

18%

19%

17%

23%

20%

22%

23%

21%

16%

13%

14%

16%

68%

68%

63%

64%

64%

63%

67%

70%

46%

67%

66%

All 65% 20% 14%

Pending consumer review of company's reported resolution

Consumer disputed company's reported resolution

Consumer did not dispute company's reported resolution
48 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU 

Complaint analysis may prompt investigation of individual complaints or groups of complaints 

and possible referral to colleagues in the CFPB’s Division of Supervision, Enforcement, and Fair 

Lending & Equal Opportunity for further consideration. 

Consumer Response shares complaint data, analyzes, and offers insights to other offices to help 

the Bureau: 

 Understand problems consumers are experiencing in the marketplace and the impact of 

those experiences on their lives; 

 Develop tools to empower people to know their rights and protect themselves; 

 Scope and prioritize examinations and ask targeted questions when examining 

companies’ records and practices; 

 Identify and stop unfair practices before they become major issues; and 

 Investigate issues and take action when we find problems. 

3.16 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, to enforce Federal 

consumer financial laws, to write better rules and regulations, and to educate and engage 

consumers.