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Since most people have already shared many info to try track down your device, I would share my experience with Mobile Insurance - Theft claim, hoping it might be useful to someone, though I am not sure if Theft Insurances are still available for Mobile phones.It was 2011, few months after I started working, a time when smartphones were gaining much popularity and owning one was my in my ToDo list once I started earning. By Oct 2011, I decided to get a Samsung Galaxy Ace which was quite popular at that time. So I enquired in the nearby shops but couldn’t grab one.So one of my friends said he will get the phone from a nearby known shop to him. Due to some reason, we decided to get the mobile with Insurance and my heartiest thanks to the soul who made the suggestion. He went to the shop, bought the phone and called me that there was no Insurance form available at that branch and he would get me the insurance after a couple of days. I don't know what went in my mind but luckily I asked him to stay in the shop and ask the sales person to get it from their nearest branch, coz I knew I would never do such things if postponed.It was all good when one fine day(I found the date to be 08-Nov-2011 from mail) I woke to see my phone missing from my pillow side. Initially I thought my friends in the other room were using it and didn't bother until everyone woke up. To our horror, none of my room mates took and it was missing. Yes, it was besides me, inside my room in a 2BHK flat. And guess what, it was not more than 20 days since I’ve bought the phone.So basically there I was, a loser who lost his First brand New Smartphone while sleeping in his house within 20 days from purchase. We searched and searched but could never find the phone.So I blocked my sim which might have already been thrashed :P and tried various methods to track down my mobile, but in vain. I contacted the Insurance company for the claim and below were the required documents as in the mail i received:Theft report issued by police preferable - ORIGINAL Numbered THEFT CSR/FIR ( Under IPC section 379/380/382);The Insurance co' will also need the Un-trace report from the policeThe Letter of subrogation ( 50/- Stamp paper Notary) - they had attached a sampleLetter of Description of the entire incidentOriginal Claim Form and Original Insurance CertificateCopy of the Purchase InvoiceSELF- Translation of any vernacular documents to English/ HindiI filed a CSR (Community Service Request) in the nearby Police station(had to go to the Police station Thrice and bear all their scoldings; basically they were asking if they were supposed to find my lost phone while keeping my home doors open), got the required documents and couriered to the Insurance company. After some struggle and follow ups, I got the claim amount which was pretty high as I had lost the phone within a month, the only good thing in this story.P.S: For those wondering how my mobile vanished, one of my friends left early around 6am(Yes EARLY :P ) and asked another to lock the door, which I heard, but never bothered to check and went back to sleep. And yes as you could have guessed, the other friend slept without locking the door.

Hi,plz find the below information hope this will help you.Uttar Pradesh Drug LicenseDrug license is a legal permit issued by the Government for businesses that deal with drugs and cosmetics. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department under the Government of Uttar Pradesh grants drug license to prevent the manufacture and sale of sub-standard, fake medicines and to implement the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. In this article, we look at the procedure and various other aspects to obtain Uttar Pradesh Drug License for sales and manufacture in detail.License ConditionsA registered pharmacist should directly and personally supervise any drug made by the licensee.The licensee should have minimum four years of practical experience in the distribution of drugs.The retail supply of any drug prescribed by the registered medical practitioner should be under the inspection of a registered pharmacist.The retail supply of the drug should be recorded in a register at the time of supply.The drugs mentioned in Schedule H or Schedule X are valid for a period of two years and should be supplied to registered Medical Practitioners, hospitals, dispensaries and nursing homes only on the signed order in writing.The licensee should maintain the purchase record of the drugs intended for sale or sold by retail.The licensee should not sell or stock any drug after the expiry date.The licensee should not store or stock any drugs on his premises that are intended for distribution as a free sample to the medical profession.The medicine in a retail shop for the treatment of animals should be labelled as “Not for human use _ for treatment of animals only.”Note: The expired drugs stored to claim a rebate from the income tax will not be considered an offence under the act unless not intended for sale.Uttar Pradesh Drug License for SalesThe drug sale license is applicable for both retail as well as the wholesale purpose for the distribution of the drug in India. The license for drug sale is issued based on the conditions subjected to the competent person dealing with drugs and the premises (area of pharmacy shop and storage facility).Types of Drugs Sales LicenseType of Sales LicenseFor grant of license on Form No.Application to be submitted on Form no.For Wholesale licenseForm 20BForm 21BForm 19For Retail LicenseForm 20Form 21Form 19For Restricted LicenseForm 20AForm 21AForm 19AFor Drugs specified in Schedule-X(Wholesale)Form 20GForm 19CFor Drugs specified in Schedule-X(Retail)Form 20FForm 19CRequirements for Uttar Pradesh Drug Sales LicenseThe following documents are the pre-requisites for the application of Drug Sales License under Uttar Pradesh Drug License.Affidavit attested by Public Notary:Of Proprietor, if the applicant firm is proprietorship firm.Of all the partners, in case the firm is a partnership firm.Of the person duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Private Limited of Limited CompanyCopy of partnership deed if partnership firmAddress proof of the authorized proprietor / applicant (copy of voter I.D., driving license)Affidavit of the liable person for day-to-day working and for any violation of laws pertaining to Drugs.Documents related to Pharmacist:Affidavit duly attested by Public Notary.Copies of educational qualification certificates (Attested)Attested copy of registration certificate and its renewal issued by U.P. Pharmacy Council.Two photographs per applied license.Address proof.Appointment letter and joining letterDocuments related to qualified person (for Wholesale license):Attested copies of educational qualification certificatesExperience certificate on the affidavitTwo photographs per applied licenseAppointment letter and Joining letter if applicableThree copies of the plan of proposed premises.Documentary proof of rental or ownership basis of the proposed premisesPhotocopy of the rental agreement in case of rented premises.Attested copy of ownership proof of rented premises from the landlord.Two photographs of Proprietor/Partners/Authorized person.Attested copy of purchase invoice of a refrigeratorFeesWhile applying offline, the fees should be paid in the Government Treasury or Government Branch of State Bank of India of the district where the license is required. The original of the treasury challan must be submitted with the application.Type of Sales LicenseFees for Grant of LicenseFor Wholesale licenseRs. 1500+1500= Rs. 3000.00For Retail LicenseRs. 1500+1500= Rs. 3000.00For Restricted LicenseRs. 500+500= Rs. 1000.00For Drugs specified in Schedule-X(Wholesale)Rs. 500For Drugs specified in Schedule-X(Retail)Rs. 500Renewal of Drug Sales LicenseRenewal of Sale license should be made on the application form same as the form submitted during the grant of the new license along with the necessary fee. The Fee for the renewal of the license is same as the grant of license. The late fee for the renewal of the license is as follows that is applicable up to six months.Late fee for RenewalPer monthRs. 500+500= Rs. 1000.00Rs. 500+500= Rs. 1000.00Rs. 250+250= Rs 500..00Rs. 250.00Rs. 250.00Documents Required for RenewalCopy of last renewalAffidavit of Pharmacist and current rent agreementAddress proof of the authorised proprietor/applicantAffidavit of the liable person for day-to-day working and for any violation of drug lawsUttar Pradesh Drug License for ManufactureTypes of Manufacturing License:Type of Manufacturing LicenseApplication Form to be submittedFor drugs other than those mentioned in Schedules C , C (1) and XForm 24For Homeopathic MedicinesForm 24CFor drugs mentioned in Schedule X and not specified in Schedules C & C(1)Form 24FFor drugs mentioned in Schedules C and C (1) excluding those specified in Schedule XForm 27For loan license for drugs mentioned in Schedules C and C (1) excluding those specified in Schedule XForm 27AFor drugs mentioned in Schedules C, C(1) and XForm 27BFor the manufacture of drugs for the purposes of examination, test or analysisForm 30For approval for carrying out tests on drugs/cosmetics or raw materials used in the manufacture on behalf of licensees for manufacture for sale of drugs/cosmeticsForm 36Documents RequiredThe following documents are the pre-requisites for the application of Drug Manufacture License under Uttar Pradesh Drug License.Affidavit of the following attested by Public Notary:-Proprietor of the applicant firm, in case the firm is proprietorship firm.All the partners, in case the firm is a partnership firm.The person duly authorised by the Board of Directors of the Private Limited or Limited Company.In case the applicant Company is a Private Limited or Limited Company, a copy of minutes of the Board of DirectorsIf Partnership firm, list of names and addresses of all partners. List of Board of Directors of Private Limited or Limited Company with full names and addresses of all directors.Attested copy of registration certificate from District Industries Centre if the applicant firm is a Small Scale Unit.Partnership deed copy if partnership firm.Address proof of the authorised applicant/proprietor ( Voter I.D, Driving license)Documents for Manufacturing Chemist Employed (not applicable if the license is required on Form 37 for a testing laboratory):Affidavit duly attested by Public NotaryAttested copies of educational certificates, experience certificates.Attested copy of the letter of approval by State Drugs Controller.Copy of consent letter, appointment letter or joining letter.Medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner along with the eye fitness certificate.Four photographs per applied licenseAddress proofDocuments related to Analytical Chemist Employed:Affidavit duly attested by Public NotaryAttested copies of educational certificates, experience certificatesAttested copy of the letter of approval by State Drugs ControllerCopy of consent letter, appointment letter or joining the letterMedical certificate from a registered medical practitioner along with the eye fitness certificate.Four photographs per applied licenseAddress proofAttested copy of the consent of Approved testing laboratory that tests those raw materials and finished products which require sophisticated instruments for analysisThree copies of the Plan of Premises showing all the sections and dimensions.Documentary proof of ownership or rental basis of the proposed premises. Copy of rental agreement in case of rented premises. Attested copy of ownership proof of rented premises from the property ownerCopy of No Objection Certificate from Pollution Control board.in is for sale! case of renewal of license attested copy Air and Water Consent from the Pollution Control Board (not applicable if the manufacturing unit is exempted for the same).Copy of test report of water from a Government Approved Laboratory regarding its portability and freedom from pathogenic microorganismsProcessing TimeThe license will be issued within 15 days from the date of submission of application online.Application ProcedureThe Food Safety and Drug Administration Department of Uttar Pradesh provides its citizen with the facility for applying online for Uttar Pradesh Drug License.Step 1: To apply online visit the official website of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh. Click ‘Online Drug License Registration and Licensing System’ that redirects to the online application portal.Uttar Pradesh Drug License – HomepageStep 2: Click ‘Apply online for license’ if registered.Uttar Pradesh Drug License – Apply onlineIf not a registered user, click ‘Register’ on the top of the page. One can register as a firm or a technicalUttar Pradesh Drug License – RegistrationStep 3: Select the registration type; sales unit or manufacturing unit.Uttar Pradesh Drug License – Registration typeApplicants’ should have a valid personal e-mail ID and mobile number, which should be kept active for registration.Step 4: The registration will be validated by entering the Aadhar number for which an OTP will be generated to the registered mobile.Step 5: Enter the OTP and click Validate.Step 6: Select the appropriate form of License. Based on License Form, select application Form to be applied.Step 7: Enter the required details, make the payment and click submit.Step 8: On successful registration, a unique registration number will be generated which is required for further processing.Thank u & All d best👍🏻🙏🏻😊-TADA-Deepika

First, you must be a consumer.If you have purchased goods or services for your business, for example for re-selling them, you are not a consumer.But if you have purchased goods or services, like medicines, computers, mobiles, etc. for your own use, or mediclaim insurance policies, you are certainly a consumer.Secondly, you must give a notice in writing to the supplier or service provider asking him to rectify the faults, defects, etc.The notice should be simple, clearly pointing out your grievances, and requesting the supplier or service provider to rectify the faults, defects, etc. or replace the goods.Normally, you should give a clear one month’s notice.You should address the notice to the nearest address available, so that if you have to file a Complaint, it will be in the nearest consumer forum.Thirdly, the Complaint must be filed within 2 years of the cause of action.If there are reasonable causes for delay in filing the Complaint, you can always request the Consumer Forum to condone the delay.The Complaint: The following is the procedure for filing a Complaint before the District Forums.(State Forums and National Forums have their own rules, but they are essentially the same)Although it is not essential that the Complaint should be typed, it is always better to get it typed, double spaced, with at least 1½ inches of margin space on the left, top and bottom.The Complaint has to be arranged in the following Order and you have to page number all documents.1. Index giving the page number(s) of each document.2. Application for condonation of delay (if there is delay), giving the reasons for the delay, duly affirmed before a notary public.3. Complaint – containing details of the grievance, preferably arranged in chronological order; briefly giving the ground on which relief is claimed, and the relief (including legal costs, damages and interest) claimed.The Complaint has to be signed by the Complainant.4. You can appear before the Consumer Forums in person, or allow a close relative to appear for you.But if you are engaging an advocate to appear on your behalf, you have to enclose a Vakalatnama, But then, your advocate will be doing all the paper work and attending the hearings.If you are authorizing, your close relative to appear for you, you have to enclose a letter of authority.5. Affidavit that the contents of the Complaint are true.6. Copies of all documents on which you rely upon in support of your Complaint.No of copies of the Complaint to be filedYou have to submit:1 Original and 2 xerox copies.In addition, if the Complaint is admitted, you will have to submit as many more copies as there are parties.Where to file your Complaint:The jurisdiction, that is the Consumer Forum, where you should file your Complaint depends on the amount involved.I am summarizing the provisions below:Amount Involved Jurisdictionupto Rs. 20 lakhs District Consumer ForumRs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore State Consumer ForumMore than Rs. 1 crore National Consumer ForumThe Fee:The fee, which is nominal, depends upon the amount involved. It is as follows:Before District Forum:For claims up to Rs. 1 lakh = Rs. 100For claims from Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs = Rs. 200For claims from Rs.5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakhs = Rs. 400For claims from Rs.10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakhs = Rs. 500Before State Commission: For claims from Rs.20 lakh to Rs. 50 lakhs = Rs. 2000For claims from Rs.50 lakh to Rs. 1Crore = Rs. 4000Before National CommissionFor claims exceeding Rs. 1crore = Rs. 5000The fee has to be paid in the form of a demand draft on a nationalized bank in favour of the President of the concerned District Consumer Forum (Registrar of the State or National Commission if the Complaint is filed in these places).There is no prescribed format for the affidavit. I am giving a simple format which you can modify and use.Format of AffidavitSpecimen Draft Affidavit to be filed with the ComplaintI,………….. The, COMPLAINANT ABOVE NAMED DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY AFFIRM AND STATE THAT I HAVE FILED THE COMPLAINT HEREIN AND REPEAT, REITERATE, REAFFIRM AND CONFIRM EACH AND EVERY STATEMENT MADE THEREIN AS TRUE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.AffirmationIn practice, you can get the affirmation done (or affidavit affirmed) before any notary public, but he will usually charge anything between Rs. 100 to Rs. 200; or you can affirm before the Registrar of the concerned Forum.Actual Filing of the ComplaintYou, or your advocate, will have to personally file the Complaint in the office of the concerned Consumer Forum.The Consumer Forum’s office will go through the Complaint and point out any deficiencies.You have to correct them and submit the Complaint again.The Consumer Forum’s office will give you a short date for admission.On this date, you or your representative has to appear and explain the Complaint to show that there is a genuine consumer Complaint.This is a simple process and usually the Forum members are very helpful.Once the Complaint is admitted, The Consumer Forum will direct you to submit more copies of the complaint (as many as there are respondents). These will be sent to the Respondents along with notice prepared by the Commission’s office.+Why should you complain?Everyone has consumer rights. You have the right to know what you will receive before you pay for a product or service, obtain what you pay for, complain when you are not satisfied, and get your money back when you have a legitimate complaint.There are no magical ways to get action on a complaint, but nothing will happen unless you complain and demand action. This publication offers suggestions to help you get results when you have a problem with the purchase of goods or services.“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” This old proverb means that noise gets attention. If you don’t let a merchant or vendor know you are dissatisfied with their goods or services, you have no chance of resolving the problem.First, ask yourself if your complaint is legitimate. Why are you dissatisfied? What went wrong? Is it a question of losing money because goods or services you received were not what was promised, or was there even outright fraud? Or, did a representative of the company treat you rudely?Taking the time to consider whether you have a valid and timely complaint will save you time and effort. But, be sure to check to see if there is a deadline for making your complaint.The first step should be to take your complaint directly to the business before you take other action. Often, the problem can be resolved quickly by doing do, so don’t forget to ask to “escalate” your call if the customer service representative is not helpful. Ask politely if you could be transferred to someone with the authority to help resolve your complaint. If it is a small company, ask to speak with the owner.Obviously, you can’t resolve a complaint about fraud or a scam by contacting the party that ripped you off—the scam artist is probably long gone, and it isn’t advisable to contact fraudsters anyway. However, you should let the appropriate authorities know when you have been a victim of fraud. There is a chance that they could recover your money, and at the very least you will help prevent other consumers from falling victim to the same scam.Complaints overviewHere are some of the concepts for complaining that are explained in this guide:Know your rights.Complain in a timely fashion.Prepare a folder or file to keep documents and notes about your complaint.Write out three or four sentences that describe your complaint clearly and concisely.Be clear about what you want.Be persistent.Be patient and don’t lose your cool.Seek assistance from a third party.Consider going to court.Before complainingReview what happened and think about your options and rights. Consider the facts of the case and what you want to happen. Write down:a brief description of your complaint;what your rights are;why you feel the business should do something for you; andwhat you want the business to do to resolve the problem.If you are not sure what your rights are or how to proceed, do an Internet search to learn more, or contact a consumer group and discuss the situation. Talking with a qualified organization may help you decide how to handle the problem, and many agencies have publications that explain consumer rights and how to resolve complaints.You can consult the Consumer Action Handbook, a free guide that includes information about your consumer rights and lists many consumer protection agencies. From this page you can order a printed copy or download the PDF version.Review all printed information you have about the case, such as:any ad that you responded to, or any brochure, warranty, guarantee or other document that describes the product or service and how it should work;all letters between you and the business; andany other papers you received from the company, including agreements, instructions, receipts and billing statements.If you signed a contract, read it carefully and ask the company for explanations of anything you don’t understand. The contract or warranty may limit your options or provide you with certain rights. Make sure you have done everything that you were supposed to do to live up to your part of the agreement.Decide what you want from the company, such as repair or replacement of the item, a refund, an exchange, a credit, a correction of the company’s records or the payment of damages. Consider whether a compromise would be acceptable. It may be easier to resolve the complaint if you agree to a settlement that falls short of a full refund.Complain as soon as possibleThe sooner you complain, the better your chances are for a satisfactory settlement. In some cases, especially billing disputes, the company may not be legally liable if you fail to complain within a reasonable time after you first discover the problem or receive the bill. That is why it is important to read all bills and statements as soon as you get them.Some store refund policies allow you to return items if you do so within a few days. If you wait too long to return the item, you will lose the right to get your money back. In addition, it can be difficult to defend yourself if you wait a long time to complain. If you buy a television and don’t return it for three months, you may have a hard time convincing the store that it didn’t work when you first tried to use it.How to complainThe first step in complaining is to clearly present your problem. Failure to communicate effectively often makes it difficult to resolve complaints. Have all relevant information at hand when you contact the company, including: a description of the item; your account number or other facts to help the company identify the transaction; your receipt, billing statement or cancelled check; and a clear and brief explanation of what is wrong and what you want the company to do.Do not get emotional: Speak calmly and politely. Think about how the person you are speaking to will react. If you raise your voice, that person will probably get angry and yell back or simply hang up. Handling complaints can be a tough job. If you make the complaint handler’s job harder by getting angry, that person is likely to respond negatively to you.Make notes about all conversations you have about the complaint, including the time and date of your calls, names of everyone at the company you spoke to and what they said.You can complain by phone, in person, or in writing by email or mail.Phone or email first to tell the company about the problem and to try to resolve it. You should be able to learn pretty quickly whether the problem will be resolved.Go to the company to return the purchase, or if there is a need to meet with someone to examine the item, receipts or statements. Complaining in person helps to force the issue, but is not always necessary. Ask a friend to go with you if you are concerned about being harassed or want a witness.Sometimes problems can be resolved with one call, email or visit. You may learn that you are not using the item properly, or that the company is willing to give you a refund without an argument.But when you realize that your attempts to contact the company are being ignored, or the company refuses to help you, start putting your communications in writing. Sometimes businesses ignore complaints until they see them in writing. Even if you email, it’s a good idea to print out a copy of the message and send it through the mail. Always send your hard-copy complaint letters certified mail or “return receipt requested.” This way you will have a record that the company received your communication.Complaint emails and letters are important because they:create a written record of your complaint with the company;preserve your rights under law;help the business understand your side of the story;involve government agencies that you send copies to and alert them to the firm’s practices;lay the groundwork for a future legal case or defense; andlet the company know you are serious about the matter.Complaint emails or letters should not be long—a long letter can be a drawback as representatives may not have the time to read every word and may even choose to ignore your letter as a “rant.”Spend some time trying to explain your problem in 250 words or less. Include your name, address and phone number, and account or invoice number, if any. (However, if you are going to CC others on your letter, redact (cross out) account numbers on the copies.)If appropriate, include a copy of your cancelled check, receipt or other documents. Keep a copy of all communications you send and receive. If the first contact does not bring a response, send another. Simply send the same email or letter, with a new sentence stating, “This is my second attempt to contact you about this matter.”Remember: Always send your complaint letters certified mail or “return receipt requested.” A mail receipt will provide proof that delivery was made. Make sure you do not delete emails you send, but save or copy them for future reference.Keep recordsYou may need certain documents, or evidence, in order to win your case or prove you paid for the item. These can include your receipt, credit card statements, screenshots of the company’s website, repair orders and/or the warranty.Keep receipts and proof of purchase until you are sure you won’t need them:Companies may demand proof of purchase before settling a complaint or fixing an item under warranty. Note that you don’t need to mail in a product warranty card in order to claim your rights on a product that is still under warranty—a receipt and the barcode (Universal Product Code, or UPC) from product packaging is enough. If your purchase was made online, you might be able to print another receipt from the company’s website.If you don’t have a copy of your credit card statement or cancelled check, you may be able to print one out from your bank’s website or request a copy from your bank. (Banks may charge a fee for copies of older records.)Never send originals of receipts or checks to the company or any complaint-handling agency—always send copies. Copies of your emails or letters can also be very helpful. If the firm claims it never heard from you, copies of letters with return receipts or proof of delivery, or emails with a date header, can help you resolve the problem.Contact someone higher upIf your first attempt at complaining fails, contact someone higher up in the company. If the salesperson can’t help you, ask to speak to a supervisor or store manager, and then the owner or the company’s headquarters. Larger companies often have customer relations or consumer complaint departments that you can contact for assistance. If all else fails, ask to be connected to “customer retention,” a department responsible for keeping customers.Don’t hesitate to send complaint letters to the owner, president, chief executive officer (CEO) or general counsel of the company at its executive offices. These officials should send your letter to the appropriate person, and may take steps to resolve the dispute promptly. Higher-level officials are sensitive to the firm’s image and often are more willing and able to find a solution to complaints. Top executives do not like hearing from consumers, and top-level staff often intervene to solve problems quickly, before they reach the big boss.To get the name and address of the president or executive offices, put “CEO” and the name of the company in a search engine. Or call any office of the company and ask for that information.All companies, foreign and domestic, are required to file registration statements, periodic reports and other forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) electronically through EDGAR. You can access this information for free. The reports are a good resource for finding the address and phone number of a company’s headquarters or general counsel. Other sources of this information are Hoovers, Google Finance and Yahoo Finance.Call the executive’s office by dialing the general number for the company and asking for the executive by name. In most cases, you will get through to someone who will take your complaint seriously. If you cannot get through during business hours, try calling the number after business hours to see if it has a directory of employees you can search by name. Leave a short but informative message about your problem and ask for a return call.Sometimes you encounter a company that makes complaining very difficult. It may say, “The person you need to speak to is not in the office today, call back next week,” or “Leave your number and we will get back to you.” This may be a sign that the company is stalling you. If you are not being treated seriously, it might be time to take your problem to a person higher up in the company, complain to a government agency or consider legal action.If you cannot find a phone number or you prefer to communicate by email, Consumerist offers some tips for finding or figuring out executives’ email addresses .Contact government agenciesGovernment agencies will not always intervene to settle your case, but some will contact the company to open up communication. For example, if you complain to the state public utilities commission about a telephone company, it might ask that company for an explanation of its position. A government financial services regulator might contact your bank to ask for its side of the story. State attorneys general (AGs) and municipal district attorneys (DAs) handle many cases that do not fall under the jurisdiction of any other government agency. Some district attorneys have units that offer consumer complaint mediation.No agency can force a business to settle an individual’s complaint, but the government’s interest in the case may convince the company to resolve the dispute. Businesses that ignore most complaining consumers often settle cases that are sent to government agencies (or consumer groups, business associations or action lines).Government agencies can be excellent sources of information about consumer rights and the laws and regulations that companies must follow. If you are not sure whether a company has broken the law, call the appropriate government agency and ask for information about your rights.Many businesses are directly regulated by government agencies, such as a department of insurance or department of banking. These agencies receive complaints about the companies they regulate and investigate allegations that those businesses have violated the law. The agencies depend upon consumers to alert them to companies that are engaged in illegal practices. Even if the agency doesn’t help you resolve your complaint, it might be able to use your case to stop an unfair business practice.If your complaint involves an out-of-state company, you may still be able to obtain assistance from government agencies in your state. You can also contact a federal government agency to complain about out-of-state firms.Government agencies usually prefer that you complain by email, phone or mail—not in person. Most are not prepared to help people who walk into their offices without appointments. Some have special complaint forms for consumers to use. To make sure you are complaining to the appropriate agency, visit its website or call before submitting a complaint, or ask a consumer group which agency to contact.When you call or submit a complaint to a government agency, indicate what you are looking for. For example, ask it to “Please investigate my complaint,” or “Advise me if there is a law that covers my complaint.”To find the appropriate agencies, consult the Consumer Action Handbook, a free guide. From this page you can order a printed copy or download the PDF version.If you don’t find the information you are looking for, look for the names, phone numbers and addresses of government agencies in your phone book. A special government section in most phone directories lists local, state and federal agencies.Complaining through an organizationWhen you have done all you can on your own, consider whether an organization can assist you. In many areas, chapters of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) assist consumers with certain complaints. You can file a complaint with the BBB.Few consumer groups handle individual complaints, but action lines in many states help consumers to resolve problems. The entrance of a third party into a dispute may send a signal to the business that:you are determined to see the case through, and won’t give up;depending on the organization, there could be bad publicity and lost business; andyou may be represented by people with sufficient expertise, sophistication and resources to cause problems for the business.Action lines are volunteer programs, usually run through newspapers and radio or television stations. (Callers to action lines are not placed on the air.) They give assistance to people who are having difficulty resolving complaints. They can contact a business on your behalf and try to work out a solution. You may know of a local station that features consumer complaints. To learn if there is a Call For Action-affiliated action line that serves your area, visit Call For Action.Consider your alternativesIf you feel you have run out of options, consider taking these steps:Seek advice. There are many sources of information and advice. Many consumer groups and action lines offer free consultation about consumer problems. Some government agencies provide advice and information concerning complaints against the companies that they regulate. There are many publications that provide helpful suggestions about resolving consumer problems.Sue in small claims court. Small claims court is an appropriate place to settle many consumer cases.Contact a lawyer. Usually, the money involved in consumer cases is not enough to involve a lawyer, and legal actions can take years to complete. But a lawyer can advise you about your legal rights and options.Conduct a consumer picket. You can hand out information about your case to the public while you stand in front of the company’s store or offices, as long as you do not block traffic, break any laws or say anything in your handouts that you cannot prove.Use social pressure. The opportunity to shame a business publicly has grown in the age of the Internet. It’s possible to post your story online in reviews, blogs, comments and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Many complaint websites allow you to post public complaints or to write a review of the business. (To find them, do an Internet search.) As with a consumer picket, never post anything you cannot prove or defend in court, as you could face legal action from the business if you go too far or make false claims. However, this avenue can be effective, as a large number of companies monitor the Web and social media in order to resolve complaints before they create bad publicity or damage their brands.Create a website or a social media page. Disgruntled consumers have gotten very creative and set up “corporate hate websites” targeting companies for bad practices. It is important to remember that the company may try to take legal action against you, and even though you are probably within your rights of freedom of speech, defending yourself could be costly. (To protect yourself from any lawsuit, make sure you have adequate liability insurance on your rental or homeowners insurance policy.) Most of these “hate sites” accept posts from other disgruntled consumers.Stopping paymentYou can stop payment on a check or an electronic payment from your bank account. This is a traditional consumer remedy, but it doesn’t work in every case and it may not end the dispute.Stopping payment on a check means that you tell your bank not to pay a check that you wrote, but there is no guarantee that your bank can stop a payment. Most banks charge fees of $30 or more to stop a payment. Stop payment orders generally expire after six months. When you stop payment, the company you gave the check to will be unable to get any money for it—unless it cashed the check before you stopped payment. Businesses often cash checks immediately to prevent customers from stopping payment.To stop an electronic payment from your bank account, you will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the transaction is scheduled to be made. (Again, a stop payment fee is likely to apply.) This notice may be made orally or in writing. However, if the notice is made orally, the bank may require you to follow up with written notice within 14 days. If you don’t provide written verification of the oral notice when required, the oral stop payment order may expire.If you gave a merchant preauthorization to take money from your bank account, you need to revoke the authorization with the merchant. Pre-authorized withdrawal agreements are between consumers and vendors—the bank can’t cancel them until you notify the vendor/merchant. Write directly to the vendor/merchant to request that no further money is taken from your account. It can be difficult to stop payment on a recurring debit if the company won’t cooperate. You should provide the bank with a copy of the letter and inform the bank that you no longer authorize these charges and you have notified the vendor/merchant. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.Once you stop payment, you should immediately tell the company (or person) what you have done and why. You can do this by phone, but you should also write a letter to create a written record of your position. (If you fail to explain the situation, the company might assume that you are trying to take the item without paying for it.) When you stop payment for a purchase, you should return the item to the company.Credit card rightsContact your credit card company. If you paid by credit card, the bank that issued the card may be able to help you resolve the problem. Make sure the bank receives your notice of billing error within 60 days of the monthly statement containing the unauthorized charges. You may be required to submit your dispute in writing.Your card issuer will investigate the case and may decide in your favor if it believes you have a legitimate complaint. While it is investigating, you do not have to pay the disputed amount on your credit card statement, but the bank can charge you interest on the amount you don’t pay if it rules against you. (Make sure you pay the undisputed portion of the bill.) If the bank rules in your favor, it will give you a credit for the disputed amount. If it rules against you, you can still seek a refund in court or through other actions, such as by complaining to government agencies.The process for stopping pre-authorized, recurring credit card payments to a merchant is a little different than a credit card dispute. First, write to the merchant, directing it to stop the charges. Second, notify your bank about any charges that you feel were in error. You may be required to submit your dispute in writing or to explain it in a form the card issuer will provide.Writing your complaintSee the sample letter and sample email. Copy and paste the text, or download these as plain text files, and insert your own information.In your letter or email, include your name, address and phone number.Note what you are complaining about, when and where the purchase or agreement took place, and any other pertinent information, such as the item’s make, model or serial number, or your account number.Briefly and clearly describe the problem, ideally in 250 words or less, and what you want done to resolve it.Give a specific period of time in which a response must be received (such as 10-14 days), and indicate that you will seek legal advice or take other steps if the matter is not resolved. You need not tell the party exactly what you will do.Write “CC” and the names of other recipients at the end of the letter if you are sending copies to anyone, such as a local consumer group or district attorney’s office. For email, use the CC field to copy government agencies, organizations or the media. (Remember to remove account numbers or Social Security numbers from your CC copies before you send them.)Indicate if you are attaching copies of supporting documents. (Never send originals.)Keep a copy of all communications and supporting documents.Consulting a lawyerSometimes your only alternatives may be to hire a lawyer or drop the matter. If you believe your best option is to sue, but the amount is more than the small claims court limit or the case cannot be pursued in small claims court, you may have to hire a lawyer.However, most consumer cases do not involve enough money to make it worthwhile to hire a lawyer. You may not be able to locate one who is willing to help you or who is familiar with the legal issues involved. It could be many years before a court decides your case.If you want to speak to an attorney but don’t know how to find one, contact a lawyer referral service. (See Resources, or call your county’s bar association.) If you can’t afford an attorney, ask if your county has a legal aid agency or bar association that can help low-income consumers obtain legal advice.In many consumer complaints, the amounts involved are much too small to make it worthwhile to consult a lawyer, but contacting a lawyer can be of value in some instances:If you are being sued, you definitely need legal advice. Your failure to appear in court or obtain legal advice could be costly. Even if you know that you will lose the case, the advice of an attorney may help you to reduce the amount you will have to pay.You may benefit from having a legal expert read or review a document. If you are about to buy a house or sign a contract, a lawyer can make sure the agreement doesn’t have clauses that could cost you money.It can be helpful just to discuss a matter with a lawyer. If consumer agencies tell you that your only option is to sue, a lawyer can tell you the costs involved and what to expect.In some cases, a letter from a lawyer can resolve the problem.For example, if you have just signed a car contract after being subjected to high-pressure sales tactics, a letter from a lawyer questioning such practices might convince the dealership to cancel the agreement.Small claims courtSmall claims court is for the resolution of minor disputes. The rules and requirements for such courts differ widely from state to state, so the first step is to learn the rules for filing a case in your state.Nolo, a legal self-help publisher, offers an online list of small claims limits in every state.Search online or look in your phone book for the telephone number for your local small claims court. Generally, you must file your suit in the city or county in which the business you have the dispute with has an office or in which the transaction took place. There is usually a fee for filing a case.Here is some general advice about suing in small claims court:Before you file, learn about the limitations and requirements of small claims court. This includes the maximum amount that you can sue for and restrictions against filing certain types of cases. Nolo offers a free online list of state Statutes of Limitations.Ask the clerk of the small claims court for advice about how to file your case. If you do not file correctly, the case might be thrown out.Give the company a chance to resolve the problem. Before you sue, notify it of your intention to sue by sending a letter.Tell the firm why you feel it owes you money, and the specific dollar amount you want from it.Find out the company’s legal name, and use that when suing it.Formally notify the company of your suit. Ask the small claims court clerk how to do this.Prepare your case. Gather your evidence and consider whether there are witnesses who can testify on your behalf. Practice your presentation by explaining your case to friends. Ask if they can understand your position and think you are making a good case. Be clear and concise.You can visit a small claims court before your court date. Watching other people appear before the judge could make you feel more comfortable about the process.Usually, the judge will first ask you, the plaintiff, to speak, followed by the defendant. Then the judge will ask questions and consider the evidence. Even if you win your case, there is no guarantee you will get your money. If the person refuses to pay, then you may have to take steps to force payment. Ask the court clerk how to do this.For more about small claims court, go online to read the questions and answers offered by Nolo, or obtain a copy of “Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court” by Ralph Warner, published by Nolo. Check your public library for a copy before purchasing the book.Community mediation servicesMany states offer community or court-based mediation designed to help disputing parties arrive at their own compromise settlement with the help of a neutral third party. The National Association for Community Mediation offers a program locator to help you find community mediation programs near you.ResourcesBetter Business Bureau: Complain about businesses.Consumer Action: Call (415-777-9635) or send a webmail for advice and referrals. Access free, multilingual brochures.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Submit complaints about credit cards and other financial services.Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Submit and review consumer product safety complaints.Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (Complaint form): Submit landline and wireless phone complaints as well as those related to telemarketing, broadband (Internet) and TV broadcasting.Federal Trade Commission: Submit complaints about unfair or deceptive business practices, fraud, scams, credit reports and collections abuse.Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): Submit complaints about an investment or financial advisor or brokerage under FINRA’s mediation program.Help With My Bank (Comptroller of the Currency): Submit complaints about national banks (with “National” or “NA” in or after the name).Legal Services Corporation: Find legal assistance for low-income individuals and families.National Association of Attorneys General (AGs): Find your state AG’s office to make a complaint of fraud or unfair business practices.National Association for Community Mediation: Find a local mediation organization.National Association of Consumer Advocates: Search by location and specialty to find a consumer attorney.National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Find your state insurance regulator to submit insurance-related complaints.National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS): Access important vehicle history information.Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Submit investment-related complaints.Consumer Action Handbook: Get this free resource for helping you complain effectively.Sample complaint letterYour nameAddressPhone numberCompany officialCompany nameCompany addressDateDear (title) ____:I wish to complain about ____ (name of product or service, with serial number or account number) that I purchased on ____ (date and location of transaction).I am complaining because ____ (the reason you are dissatisfied). To resolve this problem, I would like you to ____ (what you want the business to do).When I first learned of this problem, I contacted ____ (name of the person, date of the call) at your company and was told that nothing could be done about my problem. I believe that this response is unfair because ____ (the reason you feel the company has an obligation to you). I would like a written statement explaining your company’s position and what you will do about my complaint.I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible to resolve this problem. If I do not hear from you within ____ days, I will file complaints with the appropriate consumer agencies and consider my legal alternatives. I am enclosing copies of my_____ (receipt or other proof of payment or documentation of complaint).I may be contacted at the above address/phone number.Sincerely,(Sign and type your name)CC: (local consumer group) (appropriate government agencies)ATT: (attach and list documentation of your complaint, if any)Sample complaint emailFrom: (your name: [email protected])Subject: (short description of your complaint)Date: (most email programs enter this field automatically)To: (the email address of the person you are contacting)CC: (local consumer group) (appropriate government agencies)Dear (title) ____:I wish to complain about ____ (name of product or service, with serial number or account number) that I purchased on ____ (date and location of transaction).I am complaining because ____ (the reason you are dissatisfied). To resolve this problem, I would like you to ____ (what you want the business to do).When I first learned of this problem, I contacted ____ (name of the person, date of the call) at your company and was told that nothing could be done about my problem. I believe that this response is unfair because ____ (the reason you feel the company has an obligation to you). I would like a written statement explaining your company’s position and what you will do about my complaint.I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible to resolve this problem. If I do not hear from you within ____ days, I will file complaints with the appropriate consumer agencies and consider my legal alternatives. I am attaching copies of my_____ (receipt or other proof of payment or documentation of complaint).You may reply to me at this email address or call me at (phone number).Sincerely,(your full name)Note: You can download text files for the sample letter and email on our website.About Consumer ActionConsumer Action is a non-profit organization that has championed the rights of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. Throughout its history, the organization has dedicated its resources to promoting financial literacy and advocating for consumer rights in both the media and before lawmakers to promote economic justice for all. With the resources and infrastructure to reach millions of consumers, Consumer Action is one of the most recognized, effective, and trusted consumer organizations in the nation.Financial Education. To empower consumers to assert their rights in the marketplace, Consumer Action provides a range of educational resources. The organization’s extensive library of free publications offers in-depth financial information, while its hotline provides non-legal advice and referrals. Consumer Action also publishes unbiased surveys of financial and consumer services that exposes excessive prices and anti-consumer practices to help consumers make informed buying choices and elicit change from big business.Community Outreach. With a special focus on serving low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers, Consumer Action maintains strong ties to a national network of nearly 7,500 community-based organizations. Outreach services include training and free mailings of financial education materials in many languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. Consumer Action’s network is the largest and most diverse of its kind.Advocacy. Consumer Action is deeply committed to ensuring that underrepresented consumers are represented in the national media and in front of lawmakers. The organization promotes pro-consumer policy, regulation and legislation by taking positions on dozens of bills at the state and national levels and submitting comments and testimony on a host of consumer protection issues. Additionally, its diverse staff provides the media with expert commentary on key consumer issues supported by solid data and victim testimony.