North Carolina Attorney General
Quick Contact
Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226)
Main Phone: (919) 716-6000
Spanish Language Line: (919) 716-0058
Website: ncdoj.gov
File Complaint Online: Consumer Complaint Form
Office Contact Information
Main Office - Raleigh
Mailing Address:
N.C. Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Division
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Consumer Protection Hotline:
1-877-5-NO-SCAM
(1-877-566-7226)
Main Phone:
(919) 716-6000
General AG Line:
(919) 716-6400
Language Support
Spanish Language Line:
(919) 716-0058
The Consumer Protection Division provides assistance in Spanish to better serve North Carolina's diverse population.
Online Contact
Website:
ncdoj.gov
File a Complaint:
Online Complaint Form
Email:
[email protected]
Consumer Protection:
Consumer Resources
How to File a Consumer Complaint in North Carolina
Online Filing (Recommended)
- Visit North Carolina DOJ Complaint Portal
- Select the appropriate complaint category
- Provide detailed information about your complaint including dates, amounts, and parties involved
- Describe the issue thoroughly and explain what resolution you are seeking
- Upload supporting documents (receipts, contracts, emails, advertisements)
- Submit and save your confirmation number
Response time: The Consumer Protection Division reviews complaints and works to resolve consumer disputes. Processing time varies based on case complexity.
By Phone
Call the Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226)
Or call the main line: (919) 716-6000
Spanish Language Line: (919) 716-0058
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Staff can assist with:
- Filing consumer complaints
- Questions about consumer protection laws
- Scam reporting and fraud alerts
- Consumer rights information
- Complaint status inquiries
By Mail
Write a detailed letter describing your complaint.
Mail to:
N.C. Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Division
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Include: Copies (not originals) of all supporting documents such as receipts, contracts, correspondence, and advertisements.
By Email
You can also email consumer complaints to:
Email: [email protected]
Include detailed information about your complaint and attach supporting documents.
North Carolina Consumer Protection Priorities
Consumer Financial Protection
NC AG actively pursues consumer lenders charging hidden fees, misleading borrowers about loan terms, and violating state and federal consumer protection laws.
Educational Institution Fraud
Protection of students from unlicensed programs and false advertising by vocational schools and training programs.
Real Estate & Property Protection
Investigating companies using deceptive practices in real estate, including software platforms and property management.
Record-Breaking Consumer Wins
From 2017-2024, the Consumer Protection Division won more than $3 billion for North Carolina consumers, including significant settlements related to the opioid epidemic.
Recent North Carolina AG Consumer Actions
2024 Enforcement Highlights
- $81 Million in Court Victories (2024): Consumer Protection Division won more than $81 million in court judgments and settlements, including settlements with drug companies that contributed to the opioid epidemic
- $3 Billion Since 2017: Consumer Protection Division has won more than $3 billion for North Carolina consumers from 2017-2024
- Consumer Lender Lawsuit (April 2024): Filed complaint against consumer lender for charging hidden premiums and fees for add-on products with small dollar personal loans, violating Consumer Financial Protection Act, Truth in Lending Act, and state consumer protection laws
- Oquirrh Mountain Phlebotomy School (Nov 2024): Sued Wilmington phlebotomy school for falsely advertising certification program without disclosing the program is not state-licensed
- RealPage Investigation (March 2024): Investigated RealPage, a software company providing analytics to property managers and owners
- Homeowner Protection Actions: Multiple legal actions to protect North Carolina homeowners from predatory practices
Leadership Transition Note
Josh Stein served as North Carolina Attorney General from 2017 to 2025, winning more than $3 billion for consumers. Jeff Jackson assumed office as Attorney General on January 1, 2025, continuing the office's strong consumer protection work.
North Carolina-Specific Consumer Laws
- Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA): North Carolina's primary consumer protection law prohibiting unfair and deceptive business practices
- North Carolina Lemon Law: Protection for buyers of defective new motor vehicles
- Home Inspector Licensure Act: Requirements for home inspectors
- Debt Collection Act: Regulates debt collector practices in North Carolina
- Identity Theft Protection Act: Data breach notification requirements and consumer protections
- Do-Not-Call Registry: Protection from unwanted telemarketing calls
- Home Solicitation Sales Act: Cooling-off period for door-to-door sales
- Rental Vehicle Consumer Protection Act: Consumer protections for rental car transactions
What North Carolina AG Can Help With
Consumer Fraud & Scams
- Deceptive advertising
- Internet and phone scams
- Identity theft
- Investment fraud
- Charity scams
Business Practices
- Unfair business practices
- Deceptive trade practices
- Contract violations
- Warranty issues
- Refund problems
Specific Industries
- Auto dealers and repair
- Home improvement contractors
- Educational institutions
- Real estate and property
- Debt collection abuse
Financial Services
- Consumer lending fraud
- Hidden fees and charges
- Credit reporting errors
- Predatory lending
- Student loan issues
What North Carolina AG Does NOT Handle
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office cannot help with:
- Private disputes between individuals
- Cases currently pending in court
- Employment or labor disputes
- Federal agency complaints (Social Security, IRS, Medicare, etc.)
- Landlord-tenant disputes (contact local housing authority)
- Banking or credit union regulation (contact NC Commissioner of Banks)
- Insurance complaints (contact NC Department of Insurance)
- Utility issues (contact NC Utilities Commission)
- Professional malpractice
- Legal advice for individual cases
Note: For matters outside the AG's jurisdiction, consult a private attorney or contact the appropriate state agency.
Common Complaint Types in North Carolina
Frequently Reported Issues
- Auto sales and repair problems
- Home improvement and contractor fraud
- Internet purchases and delivery issues
- Identity theft and data breaches
- Debt collection harassment
- Telemarketing and robocalls
- Financial services and lending fraud
- Educational institution complaints
- Real estate and property scams
- Credit reporting errors
Additional North Carolina AG Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to process a complaint?
Processing time varies based on the complexity of the case and the nature of the issue. The Consumer Protection Division reviews all complaints and works to resolve consumer disputes. You can contact the division for status updates on your complaint.
Will the Attorney General represent me in court?
No. The Attorney General's Office cannot provide individual legal representation or act as your personal attorney. The office investigates patterns of unlawful conduct affecting multiple consumers and takes enforcement action against businesses violating North Carolina law.
What is the 1-877-5-NO-SCAM hotline?
The 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) hotline is North Carolina's consumer protection hotline. It's an easy-to-remember number for reporting scams, filing complaints, and getting consumer protection information.
How successful is NC AG's Consumer Protection Division?
From 2017 to 2024, the Consumer Protection Division won more than $3 billion for North Carolina consumers. In 2024 alone, the division won more than $81 million in court judgments and settlements, demonstrating strong consumer advocacy.