You can make a complaint about a retail store in New York City for consumer protection violations.

Complaints include: 

• False advertising 
• Overcharge
• Refusing an exchange, return, or refund 
• Selling damaged or defective goods 
• Failing to deliver goods or services 
• Failing to post prices or provide a complete receipt
• Providing an illegal receipt 
• Failing to post credit card limitations 
• Failing to provide layaway terms or ID requirements 
• Selling prohibited items, such as box cutters, etching acid, tobacco products, or laser pointers to minors 
• Selling toy (fake) guns that are not brightly colored 

You need a receipt or a copy of any misleading or deceptive advertisement to file a complaint. 

If a business has any kind of restriction on the use of a credit card, such as requiring a minimum purchase amount to use one, the store must clearly post the policy near the register and the front entrance, as well as in any ads that say the business accepts credit cards.

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) does not take complaints about bed bugs.

Report a problem with a:

Art supply store

Bodega, deli, or convenience store

Carpet and flooring business

Cell phone store

Clothing, shoe, or accessories store

Dealer in products for disabilities

Department store or megastore

Drug store or pharmacy

E-cigarette sales

Electronics store

Furniture store

Gas station convenience store

Gift, novelty, or souvenir store

Hardware store

Home appliance store

Jewelry store

Office supply or stationery store

Pet store

Smoking, cigar, or vape store

Supermarket or grocery store

Tobacco sales

Used goods dealer

Used gun dealer

Wholesale food market

Other store

What Happens Next

If you don't include your address or email with your Service Request, you won't receive follow up. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will consider your complaint a tip.

If you include your address, DCWP will mail you a complaint form. You must complete and return it to DCWP. If you provide your email address, you'll get the form by email instead. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.