Have a complaint?
As a regulator, we oversee a range of consumer protection laws in BC. We can help with issues that fall within the laws we are responsible for enforcing.
Issues we can help with
Marketplace issues
Some of the laws we oversee can apply to a broad range of marketplace issues, such as:
- Deceptive acts (such as false claims, hidden information, or confusing language)
- Unconscionable acts (such as high-pressure sales, exploiting someone’s vulnerabilities, or raising prices beyond what’s reasonable)
Certain businesses and transactions
These are some of the specific businesses and transactions we can help with. To understand how we can help and use our self-help tools, visit the page for each topic directly:
- Bailiffs
- Cemetery, cremation, and funeral services
- Contract requirements for a good or service to be delivered in the future
- Credit reporting
- Debt collection
- Door-to-door sales
- Fitness memberships (this includes sports clubs/lessons, martial arts, yoga, ski passes, etc.)
- Gift cards
- Home inspections
- Online purchases
- Payday loans or high-cost loans
- Ratings of movies you see at the theater
- Telemarketers
- Ticket sales
- Travel services purchased through a licensed BC travel agency
Issues we cannot help with
- Complaints about poor customer service
- Fraud and scams
- Car purchases, repairs or warranties (private and dealership)
Submitting a complaint
How we review complaints
When you contact us, we review your situation to decide what to do next. This may include referring you to another organization or resource or opening a case.
We consider:
- what happened and the facts you share
- whether the issue falls under our laws
- whether you’ve followed the necessary steps, processes or self-help tools
- the level of risk or harm
We focus on issues that:
- point to bigger or ongoing problems
- cause serious harm or financial loss
- affect multiple people or vulnerable individuals
What this means
- Not every complaint becomes a case
- Even if an issue falls under our laws and meets legal requirements, we may refer you to another agency better able to help (this could be an organization, court process, tribunal, or legal advice)
- We aim to get you to the right support as quickly as possible
Before you submit a complaint
- Always try to work it out directly with the business first
- Follow the necessary steps, processes or self help tools (linked above under “Issues we can help with”)
- Gather all your relevant documents that support your complaint. You will be required to upload them as part of our complaint process.
- Review how we store your information with our privacy policy
Start your complaint
If your issue falls outside the laws we oversee, you may be redirected to another page.