Consumers are urged to use 311 to report fraud or other possible illegal practices by businesses or contractors located in Chicago. For home repair work done on a Chicago home, BACP will also investigate complaints against a business or contractor located outside the City.
Unfair trade practices refer to businesses using deceptive, fraudulent, or otherwise unethical methods to gain an advantage or turn a profit. Consumer Protection Law, as well as Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, protects consumers from unfair business practices.
Consumer should submit all complaints through the City's 311 system. You can file a complaint by calling 311, or going online, or using the CHI311 App on your phone.
After a complaint is filed, it is reviewed by an attorney general representative who determines whether: The complaint is appropriate for mediation by the office. If it should be referred to another governmental entity that may be more suited to assist with the consumer's complaint.
File a complaint with government or consumer programs File a complaint with your local consumer protection office. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem. The BBB tries to resolve complaints against companies. Report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.
The statute of limitations for claims under the Act is three years. Thus, actions have to be filed within three years after the date that the alleged wrongdoing took place.
Consumers are urged to use 311 to report fraud or other possible illegal practices by businesses or contractors located in Chicago.
An Act to protect consumers against unfair practices and to give consumers additional rights in respect of goods that do not conform to contract, and for matters connected therewith.
An act or practice is unfair where it (1) causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers, (2) cannot be reasonably avoided by consumers, and (3) is not outweighed by countervailing ben- efits to consumers or to competition.