So you disputed a charge. You contacted the company, you explained the problem, maybe you even followed up. And then… nothing. No response, no refund, no explanation. Just silence.
Here’s what most people don’t know: you can take this to your state attorney general’s office. And it can make a real difference.
The attorney general (AG) is basically the top law enforcement officer for your state when it comes to consumer protection. When you file a formal complaint through their office, the company gets notified — and suddenly a business that had zero interest in responding to you directly has a government office asking them questions. That changes the energy pretty fast. Results vary by state and situation, but filing creates an official record and businesses know that complaints can escalate into investigations if a pattern shows up across multiple customers.
Before you get there though, make sure you’ve worked through the earlier steps. The FTC explains that if you paid by credit card, you should contact the seller first, and if they don’t resolve it, you can dispute the charge directly with your card issuer. Your card issuer has real power here — they can reverse charges, and if the company doesn’t respond to the dispute, they may lose it by default. Outcomes aren’t guaranteed, but issuers are required to investigate.
But if the company has gone completely dark and you’re not getting anywhere, filing a complaint with your state AG is a separate and powerful option.
A few things worth knowing about your credit card rights specifically. Under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act — which applies in all states — if your credit card company doesn’t follow proper dispute procedures, they generally can’t collect the disputed amount or charge you interest on it. And they can’t close your account just because you filed a dispute. LA County Consumer Affairs summarizes these protections clearly, and because they’re based in federal law, they apply nationwide — though exact procedures and timelines can vary, so it’s worth checking the details for your specific situation.
Document everything as you go. Keep records of your original complaint, any emails or chat logs, dates you reached out, and what the charge was for. When you file with the AG’s office, that paper trail makes your complaint much stronger.
You can find your state AG’s complaint portal by searching your state name plus “attorney general consumer complaint.” Most of them have online forms and it takes maybe 15 minutes to fill out. It’s free.