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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Department of Banking & Securities

    File a complaint about a financial entity or professional

    The Consumer Services Office helps consumers with concerns about financial entities. 

    File a complaint online
    Call us

    Overview

    The Department of Banking & Securities (DoBS) provides courteous and timely responses to consumer complaints with an objective to respond to complaints/concerns within 10 days of receipt. Agency staff track and analyze inquiries, complaints and resolutions received via the toll-free helpline 1 (800) PA-BANKS, website and other government agency referrals. 

    The department's Consumer Services Office encourages the consumer to first attempt to resolve their dispute directly with the financial institution or individual business entity before contacting our office.

    Important Information: The Consumer Services Office will make every effort to help address consumer complaints through facilitation with the entity; however, there is no guarantee that the matter can or will be resolved. Complaints are important as they allow DoBS to identify patterns of unfair or deceptive practices that may result in further action.

    NOTE: The Consumer Services Office assists consumers/individuals addressing concerns with a regulated financial entity. If you are a licensee, representative or employee of a regulated financial entity, or seeking to engage in a financial activity, your inquiry must be directed to your corresponding program area (Banking, Non-Bank Licensees or Securities).

    Resources

    The following contains common issue categories and resources to help with the some of the most frequently asked questions. 

    Banks are either state chartered or federally chartered. DoBS regulates banks that are chartered in Pennsylvania. 

    To research by bank or to research a non state-chartered bank, use FDIC BankFind or call the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) at 1.877.275.3342.

    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters, regulates, and supervises all national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. The OCC can also be reached at 800-613-6743.

    Credit unions are either state chartered or federally chartered. DoBS regulates credit unions that are chartered in Pennsylvania. 

    If not a PA state-chartered credit union or for additional information and to research by credit union, use the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Research site, call NCUA at 1 (800) 755-1030, or visit MyCreditUnion.gov. Complaints about a federally-chartered credit union can be filed with the NCUA Consumer Assistance Form.

    In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is dedicated to making sure consumers are treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions. Online they outline resources to report suspected misconduct to the CFPB or you can call the CFPB at 855-411-2372.C

    A trust company is a corporation authorized to handle assets for the benefit of others and does not have commercial banking powers.  Trust companies are not insured by the FDIC.

    DoBS regulates trust companies that are chartered in Pennsylvania which can be researched using the PA Financial Institutions Search.

    For national non-depository trust companies, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters, regulates, and supervises all national institutions. The OCC can also be reached by phone at 800-613-6743.

    In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is dedicated to making sure consumers are treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions.  Online they outline resources to report suspected misconduct to the CFPB or you can call the CFPB at 855-411-2372.

    Non-Depository licensees that DoBS regulate include:

    • Motor Vehicle Finance Companies,
    • Installment Sellers,
    • Sales Finance,
    • Consumer Discount Companies, and
    • Collector-Repossessors

    Licensed Consumer Lenders that are licensed are searchable on PA Financial Institutions Search or by calling the 1 (800) PA-BANKS (722-2657)

    Non-Depository registrants that DoBS regulate include:

    • Check Cashers,
    • Debt Management Services,
    • Debt Settlement Services,
    • Money Transmitters,
    • Mortgage Broker/Lender/Servicer/Discount/Originators, and
    • Pawnbrokers

    Regulated non-depository registrants ran be researched using the NMLS Consumer Access. 

    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is dedicated to making sure consumers are treated fairly by banks, lenders and other financial institutions. Report potential industry misconduct to the CFPB.

    Under state law, all securities must be registered with the Department of Banking and Securities for sale in Pennsylvania unless the security is exempt, the securities transaction is exempt or the security is a federally covered security.

    Visit the Registered Securities page to research Securities offerings registered by DoBS. 

    To see if a security is registered with Pennsylvania, use the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) EDGAR advanced search. Further research is also available from the SEC about company filings, including a Company and Person Lookup, and suspicious wrongdoing can be reported to the SEC.

    Information about securities offerings can also be found on the Corporation Finance page.

    Broker Dealers

    Broker dealers can be a person or a company in the business of buying and selling securities, operating as both a broker and a dealer, depending on the transaction. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) maintains an online database called BrokerCheck that you can use to research people and firms that sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities or call the FINRA Hotline at 1 (800) 289-9999.

    It can be hard to understand the letters that investment professionals sometimes use after their name as a professional designation (e.g. CFA or CAS). FINRA has a Professional Designations tool to help or call the FINRA Hotline at 1 (800) 289-9999.

    FINRA offers additionals services including:

    Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) works to restore customer cash and securities left in the hands of bankrupt or otherwise financially troubled brokerage firms.  View the list of SIPC Members or call (202) 371-8300 for more information.

    Investment Advisers

    Investment advisers are firms or individuals compensated for advising investors on the purchase, sale or value of securities. 

    Annuities

    An annuity is a contract between an individual and an insurance company that provides regular income payments in exchange for premiums paid.
    • You can research insurance professionals who offer annuities and other insurance products through the PA Insurance Department or call 1 (877) 881-6388.
    • Visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Consumer Insurance Search to research insurance companies before purchasing annuities or other insurance products. You can also call NAIC at (816) 783-3200.

    Other Securities Information

    To research securities offered via registered funding portals, such as crowdfunding, visit the FINRA website or call the hotline at 1 (800) 289-9999.

    Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) works to restore customer cash and securities left in the hands of bankrupt or otherwise financially troubled brokerage firms.  View the list of SIPC Members or call (202) 371-8300 for more information.

    If your issue involves identity theft...

    Suspected identity theft should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

    Everyone, regardless of whether they have been a victim of identity theft, is entitled to one free copy of their credit report. Request your free credit report or call 1 (877) 322-8228.

    Banks and credit unions use ChexSystems reports to evaluate applications for banking services. To request a free copy of your ChexSystems report, go to www.chexsystems.com or call 800.428.9623.

    If your issue involves possible unfair and deceptive conduct....

    PA Office of Attorney General (OAG) investigates trade practices in the distribution, financing and furnishing of goods and services for possible unfair and deceptive conduct in PA. Submit a complaint online or call (717) 787-9707 or (800) 441-2555 or online at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/consumer-complaint/

    If your issue involves suspected elder abuse...

    Suspected senior citizen financial abuse can also be reported to OAG at 1 (866) 623-2137 or by emailing seniors@attorneygeneral.gov or by submitting a senior protection complaint. More information about issues involving edlerly, please visit the Department of Aging's website. 

    If your issue involves taxes...

    PA Department of Revenue can help with frequently asked related to taxes, filing a return, making tax appeals, getting business help or taxpayer relief and so much more. 

    If your issue involves unclaimed property...

    The PA Treasury Department reunites owners and heirs with unclaimed property. You can search for unclaimed property online or contact them at TUPmail@PATreasury.gov or by calling 800-222-2046.

    Are you looking for insurance products? 

    You can research insurance professionals who offer annuities and other insurance products on the PA Insurance Department's website by searching “Find a Professional” or by calling 877-881-6388.

    In addition, you can research insurance companies before purchasing annuities or other insurance products on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website or by calling the NAIC at 816-783-8200.

    Are you a Veteran? 

    The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) would like to connect with you about the programs and services available. Join the Veterans Registry.

    Did not get the answer you needed from your provider or through the above resources?

    You can file a complaint with the DoBS Consumer Services Office (CSO) or call 1 (800) PA-BANKS (722-2657)

    Please note, the Department of Banking & Securities cannot provide legal advice. Should you believe that your situation warrants legal counsel, you could contact the Pennsylvania Bar Association for an attorney referral or call 1 (800) 932-0311.

            

    Contact us

    You may call the Consumer Services Office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST Monday through Friday at 1 (800) PA-BANKS (722-2657).