🇺🇸 US Consumer Rights
Key federal laws, your protections, and how to escalate when a company's AI denies your claim.
Key Laws
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — you have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. Credit bureaus must investigate within 30 days. Creditors must correct or delete unverifiable information. You can also place a free security freeze. FCRA
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) — for billing errors on credit cards (charges you didn't authorise, wrong amounts, charges for goods not delivered). You must dispute within 60 days of the statement. The issuer must respond within 30 days and resolve within 90. FCBA
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) — debt collectors cannot call before 8am or after 9pm, contact your workplace if told not to, use abusive language, or make false representations. You can demand written verification of the debt. FDCPA
- Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) — for unauthorised electronic transactions (debit card fraud, ACH transfers). Report within 2 business days for maximum protection (liability capped at $50). Later reporting increases your liability. EFTA
- FTC Act — Section 5 — prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce. The FTC can act on systematic consumer protection violations. File complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov. FTC
- State UDAP Laws — every state has Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices laws. Some (e.g. California, New York) are stronger than federal law and allow private lawsuits with mandatory attorney fee awards. UDAP
When to Escalate
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — for disputes with banks, lenders, credit card companies, debt collectors, and credit bureaus. File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Companies are legally required to respond.
- FTC — for fraud, identity theft, and unfair business practices. reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- State Attorney General — for UDAP violations and systemic consumer protection issues. Most state AGs have consumer protection divisions.
- Small Claims Court — limits vary by state ($2,500–$25,000). No attorney required. Effective for billing disputes and failure to deliver goods/services.
- Chargeback — for credit card disputes, initiate a chargeback directly with your card issuer under FCBA. This is often faster than a formal complaint.
US Cases in the Game
DENIED TechMart USA — Defective Product Return
Laptop failed after 3 weeks. Store refuses to refund outside its 15-day window. Manufacturer warranty and implied warranty of merchantability still apply.
DENIED EuroCredit Bureau (US) — Credit Report Error
Incorrect late payment on your report. Bureau refuses to remove it after your dispute. FCRA requires investigation and correction of unverifiable data.
DENIED CryptoVault — Account Freeze
Exchange froze your account and refuses to release funds. No specific reason given. Challenge the lack of due process and regulatory compliance.
DENIED InsureCore Health — Insurance Claim
Health insurance claim denied as "not medically necessary" by an automated review system. Challenge the AI decision and demand physician review.
Related Guides
How to Dispute a Denied RefundFCBA chargebacks, CFPB complaints, and state UDAP laws explained.
AI Denied My Insurance Claim: Your Right to Human ReviewACA independent review rights and state insurance commissioner escalation.
Practice US consumer disputes in Fix AI — a free browser game where you argue your rights against AI bots. Learn which federal protections apply to your situation before you need them for real.
Play Free — US Cases →