How to File a Complaint

STEP 1: Determine if the Institution is Regulated by the Department of Banking

Please review the following information to determine what agency has regulatory responsibility for your situation. If you determine your complaint is against a supervised entity of the Banking Department, continue to Step 2

Money Services Businesses - Any entity, other than a financial institution that sells checks, drafts, money orders, or other instruments for the transmission or payment of money is supervised by the Banking Department. In addition, any entity that offers currency exchange, except financial institutions and establishments that offer the services of currency exchange as incidental to their business, is supervised by the Banking Department.

Check Cashers - Check cashers are not regulated by any state agency at the current time. Complaints should be directed to:

Attorney General of Texas
Consumer Protection Division
P. O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711
Toll Free: (800) 621-0508.

STEP 2: File a Consumer Complaint

Complete the Non-Depository Supervision Complaint Form or draft a letter of complaint. The complaint should include the name and office location of the entity. It should explain the problem in a simple, chronological narrative, making sure to include names and dates. Be specific and as brief as possible. Make legible photocopies of any documentary evidence which supports your claim and include them with the complaint. Do not send originals.

Mail or deliver the complaint to:

Texas Department of Banking
Non-Depository Supervision Division
2601 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78705-4294

Toll free: (877) 276-5554 or e-mail
Fax #: (512) 475-1288

STEP 3: Complaint Resolution

If the matter is in litigation or if a court has made a ruling, the Banking Department will not intervene.

Once your complaint is received, a copy of the complaint and any documentation are sent along with a cover letter from the Non-Depository Supervision Division to the appropriate contact person for the supervised entity. The Banking Department allows 30 days from the date the complaint is mailed for the entity to respond.

The entity responds directly to the consumer with a copy to the Banking Department. After a response is received, a determination is made if more information is necessary to effectively resolve the complaint. If necessary, we pursue obtaining such from the entity, the consumer, Banking Department personnel, outside resources, etc.

If the review indicates the entity is violating current statutes, written notice is provided to the entity outlining the Banking Department's conclusions along with a request for corrective action. The entity is provided an additional two weeks to provide more information and review further their records and resolve the situation.

Within 10 days of receipt of the entity's response which provides resolution of the situation in the opinion of Banking Department personnel, a letter is sent to the consumer explaining the entity's response. If the consumer is unsatisfied with the resolution, he/she may seek further assistance from the Banking Department or private legal counsel.

If an issue has been raised which may merit follow-up at an examination, the appropriate examiner will be notified.

After a written complaint is resolved, the Department will send a survey to the complainant regarding their experience with the Department.