Source: Texas.gov

“Consumer protection” is a very broad area of law that can touch all aspects of a person’s life. This introductory page will provide general information about Texas’s multi-purpose consumer protection law called the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The other pages in this guide will talk about specific topics under the broad umbrella of “consumer protection” such as warranties, debt collection, credit reports, and more.

The general consumer protection law in Texas is located in Chapter 17 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and is titled “Deceptive Trade Practices.” It is very broad and applies to many types of situations. Generally speaking, it prohibits people and businesses from using misleading or dishonest actions or statements in the course of doing business or making a sale.

  • Texas Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 17
  • This chapter lists many practices that are deceptive or misleading for consumers. They include pyramid schemes, price gouging during disasters, misusing the State seal, deceptive advertising, going out of business sales, and more.
  • Section 17.46 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code
  • This section of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act has a long list of practices that are specifically against the law. They include things such as saying that an item is new when it is really used, making misleading statements about the reason for price reductions, saying that goods have qualities or features that they do not, being misleading about a competitor’s products, advertising goods or products with the intent not to sell them as advertised, and many more.
  • Section 17.50 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code
  • This section allows consumers to bring a civil lawsuit for violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Who can I contact?

There are several state agencies, federal agencies, and non-profit private organizations that accept complaints about consumer topics.

Government Agencies

  • Texas Attorney General – File a Consumer Complaint
  • The office of the Texas Attorney General accepts consumer complaints.
  • File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
  • Report fraudulent activities to the Federal Trade Commission to be distributed to law enforcement agencies.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • This page from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau allows consumers to submit a wide variety of complaints including complaints against mortgage companies, credit card companies, banks, credit reporting agencies, and money transfer companies.
  • Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
  • The mission of the OCCC is to regulate the credit industry and educate consumers and creditors in Texas. They assist consumers who have experienced misrepresentation, fraud, and deceptive practices on the part of the businesses it regulates. Those businesses consist of Texas non-depository lenders: finance companies, pawnshops, home equity lenders, junior lien mortgage lenders, payday lenders, signature loan companies, and retailers who provide financing for their goods (including motor vehicle and manufactured home dealers). They offer a toll-free helpline for consumers to contact them directly with complaints and questions about the businesses licensed or registered with the OCCC. Call the consumer assistance help-line at 800-538-1579 or submit a complaint online.

Non-profit Organizations

  • National Consumer League’s Fraud Center
  • National Consumer League’s Fraud Center, part of the National Consumer League, accepts complaints of internet fraud and telemarketing fraud. Complaints submitted here are also transmitted to the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  • The BBB accepts complaints regarding disagreements between businesses and consumers. This page discusses what type of complaints they handle and how those complaints are handled. It provides a link to start a complaint.

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