How to File a Consumer Complaint in Nevada

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: August 31, 2022 References

If you have had a negative experience with an organization or business in Nevada, you have several option for filing a consumer complaint. There are several different organizations or state agencies that you can contact, depending on the type of business or situation regarding the mistreatment. For example, if you want to file a consumer complaint about your landlord who refuses to perform or pay for needed repairs on your home, you can contact the Nevada Real Estate Division. If you had a poor customer service experience with an auto repair shop, you can contact the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The state Attorney General’s office is available to receive complaints on almost anything, or to direct you to another appropriate agency.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making Complaints to the State Attorney General

1
File a range of complaints with the Nevada Attorney General's Office. For example, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General if your health claim was denied by your health insurance and you suspect the outcome was unjust. You can also report business related claims to the Attorney General, as well as claims of fraud, deception or unfair business practices.^{[1]
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2
Visit the Nevada Attorney General's website. You can find the homepage for the Attorney General at www.ag.nv.gov. From there, select the tab for “Complaints” at the top of the screen. This will redirect you to a screen with several options for complaint forms, available in both English and Spanish.^{[2]
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3
Select a “General Complaint” form for most uses. For most complaints regarding businesses, alleged criminal activity, fraud, medicaid issues or almost anything else, you will use the General Complaint form. You may select it in five different options:^{[3]
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- Type and Print. You may use this selection to fill in the form on your computer screen, and then print the final product.
- Print and Handwrite. This selection will allow you to print a blank copy of the form and then complete it on paper. You must use dark ink and write legibly.
- Type and Print, in Spanish.
- Print and Handwrite, in Spanish.
- Electronically Submit. This is the same form, but you are asked to read and affirm certain notices regarding an online electronic “signature.”
4
Submit your completed complaint form. Either mail or take your complaint form to the corresponding address listed on your particular form. If you selected the electronic submission, you will submit the form automatically when you complete it. The Attorney General's office will then investigate your case and contact you for more information if necessary.
5
Contact the Attorney General’s office by telephone. Call the Nevada Attorney General office in your region if you do not have Internet access or prefer not to submit your form electronically.
- Consumers located near Las Vegas can call 702-486-3420.
- Consumers located near Reno can call 775-688-1818.
- Consumers located near Carson City can call 775-684-1100.
6
Consider filing complaints with other offices or agencies as well. In addition to the Attorney General's office, which will accept complaints on a wide range of topics, you may also wish to file complaints with the following agencies about specific issues:
- Better Business Bureau, about consumer complaints or business related matters
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, regarding auto dealers, mechanics or other problems related to motor vehicle sales, operation, and maintenance
- Nevada Real Estate Division, for concerns with real estate brokers or agents

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Filing General Business Complaints with the Better Business Bureau

1
File general consumer complaints about businesses with the Nevada Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB will handle your complaint about the business and may work with you and the business toward an ethical resolution.
- The BBB will take any type of consumer complaint about a business, including complaints about false advertising or poor customer service. The BBB will not handle complaints regarding disputes at your place of work, discrimination, cases that are in litigation, or complaints about health care or legal services.
2
Visit the Better Business Bureau website. You can find the BBB homepage at www.BBB.org.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
Better Business Bureau
Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting marketplace trustworthiness by educating consumers and reviewing businesses
Go to source} From the homepage, you will be prompted to enter a specific location. There are multiple offices within Nevada, so you would do best to enter your zip code, and then click on “Search.”
- The Better Business Bureau divides Nevada into two sections -- the Better Business Bureau of Northern Nevada, and the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada.
3
Submit your complaint online. Follow the links to “File a Complaint.” You will be asked whether your complaint refers to a vehicle, cell phone or wireless carrier, other business product or service, advertising, privacy policy, or something else. Make your selection and then select “Next” at the bottom of the screen.^{[5]
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Better Business Bureau
Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting marketplace trustworthiness by educating consumers and reviewing businesses
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4
Identify the business by name. You will next be directed to a search feature that will help you identify the business that you are reporting. Include as much of the name as you can. The more specific you are, the more likely your search will be accurate. If you know the business’s location, you can enter that as well.
- Click on “Next” after you have entered the information.^{[6]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Better Business Bureau
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting marketplace trustworthiness by educating consumers and reviewing businesses
  Go to source}
5
Select the correct business from a list provided. After you enter your information, the search engine will produce a list of businesses that meet your search criteria. For example, a search for a business in Reno whose name includes “ABC” in the title resulted in a list of 25 different businesses. Check the exact name, address and other information that is provided, and select the business that you are writing about.^{[7]
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Better Business Bureau
Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting marketplace trustworthiness by educating consumers and reviewing businesses
Go to source}
- Click on “Select” next to the name of the business you wish to write about.
6
Enter your contact information. The BBB will not accept anonymous complaints. Their function is to accept your complaint, refer it to the business, and try to help mediate a resolution. For this reason, you must provide information so that you can be contacted. Enter this information completely, and then select “Next” at the bottom of the screen. You will be redirected to a screen to enter your complaint.
7
Describe the nature of your complaint. You will have a space to write in the nature of your complaint. You are allowed up to 2030 characters, which should be enough, if you are concise and direct.
- Be aware that your complaint is posted publicly. Limit any private or embarrassing information.
- In writing your complaint, focus on the facts of what happened. It is more helpful to include direct quotations of what someone said rather than making a conclusion like, “The clerk was rude to me.”
8
Identify how you would like to resolve the matter. After you write your description of your complaint, you are asked how you would like to resolve the problem. There is a drop down menu of sixteen different choices. Select the one that seems most applicable, but realize that you may not get exactly what you choose. The choices are:
- billing adjustment
- contact by the business
- correction to your credit report
- delivery
- exchange
- explanation of charges
- finish the job
- modification of advertised claims
- no further contact by the business
- no resolution requested - you are writing just for information
- not applicable
- other (requires further explanation)
- refund
- repair
- replacement
- store credit
9
Provide details about your transaction with the business. You are asked to provide optional information about your interaction with the business you are writing about. This includes such information as your order number, product information, price, and date of the interaction. You may even upload a copy of a receipt, order form, or any other document that may help to understand your complaint.
10
Review and submit your final complaint. Before your complaint is submitted to the BBB, you have an opportunity to review it. All the information that you have entered up to this point is shown on the next screen. Review it carefully and make sure you have included everything.
- Check that you have provided factual, rather than emotional, information.
- You may print a copy of the screen before submitting your complaint. This would be good to keep for your records.
- When you are satisfied, click on “Submit” at the bottom of the screen.
11
Visit or call a BBB office. If you prefer to visit a BBB office in person to submit a complaint, click on the link for "Find a BBB" from the BBB.org homepage and enter your search criteria to find the nearest office location.
- The BBB of Southern Nevada has its office at 6040 South Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89118. The telephone number is (702) 320-4500.
- The BBB of Northern Nevada has its office at 4834 Sparks Blvd., Suite 102, Sparks, NV 89436-8157. The telephone number is (775) 322-0657.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Filing Complaints Related to Motor Vehicles

1
File complaints related to motor vehicles with the Nevada DMV. The DMV will handle complaints and enforce the laws surrounding vehicle dealers, automobile body and repair shops, driving schools, car rental agencies and all other organizations that deal with vehicle-related services.
2
Visit the Nevada DMV website. The Nevada DMV maintains a website at www.dmvnv.com. From that homepage, select “Forms” at the top of the screen and then make the choice for “More Info” at the bottom of the dropdown list. This will redirect you to the full “Forms & Publications” screen. Scroll down the page, past all the information about driver’s licenses and registrations. Almost at the bottom of the page you will find a heading for “Complaints.” You can make one of five selections:^{[8]
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- Compliance Enforcement Complaint Form (CED 20). You will use this form for most complaints regarding auto dealers, driving schools, or other consumer businesses related to motor vehicles.
- ID Theft Complaint Form (CED 13). You will use this form to report any fraud or misuse of DMV-issued identification.
- Fuel Dealer Complaint Form (MC 083). This form is to report complaints about retail fuel dealers.
- Smog Spotter Smoking Vehicle Report.
- Potential Fuel Tax Evasion Report.
3
Print and complete the appropriate form. You can either complete the form online and then print it fully typed, or you can print the blank form and then fill it in. Be sure to provide as much of the requested information as possible, so DMV can act accordingly with your complaint.^{[9]
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4
Sign the completed complaint form. An anonymous complaint will not receive any attention. You need to sign it before sending it in. Your signature is your verification that all the information is true. Additionally, if the DMV requires, you may be asked to testify at any hearing related to the complaint.^{[10]
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5
Submit your complaint to the appropriate office. When you have completed the complaint and printed and signed it, mail it to the appropriate office. There are two offices of the Compliance Enforcement Division, which will receive your complaint. Select the one that is closer to you and submit your application by mail.^{[11]
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- For Northern Nevada, mail your complaint to Department of Motor Vehicles, Compliance Enforcement Division, 305 Galletti Way, Reno, NV 89512.
- For Southern Nevada, mail your complaint to Department of Motor Vehicles, Compliance Enforcement Division, 8250 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89147.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Filing Real Estate Related Complaints

1
File a complaint with the Nevada Real Estate Division for issues related to homes and real estate. This may include complaints regarding real estate agents, complaints related to advertising and marketing of real estate, or anything else connected with the sale of real estate in Nevada.
2
Visit the Nevada Real Estate Division website. You can find information regarding this agency at www.red.nv.gov. On the home page, you will see a list of “Quick Links” on the right half of the screen. Select “File a Complaint” in the middle of that list.^{[12]
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3
Select one of three available complaint forms. The Nevada Real Estate Division lists three different categories of complaints that you may file. Each one has its own forms that are associated with the complaint.^{[13]
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- Use the “Complaint Form,” Form 514, to complain about a real estate licensee or permit holder. This includes property managers, real estate agents, appraisers, or anyone else related to the business of real estate that is licensed by the state.
- Use the “Statement of Fact Against a Community Manager,” Form 514a, to complain about a community manager or registrant of the real estate division.
- Use the Intervention Affidavit, Form 530 and Form 530a (instructions), to file a complaint against a homeowner’s association, board member or unit owner. This affidavit form must be notarized before you submit it.
4
Complete the appropriate form. Read each form and its instructions carefully. Fill it out legibly or typed. Make sure that you include all required information, or your complaint may not be accepted.^{[14]
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5
Submit your complaint to the appropriate address. Read the complaint form for the address or fax number for the office to receive your complaint. Be sure to send the complaint to the correct address, or your complaint may not get acted on.^{[15]
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6
Call the main Nevada Real Estate Division office for further help. You may contact this office at 702-486-4033 for office locations or to make an appointment to speak with an investigator. You may wish to do this if you need help deciding the appropriate complaint form that you need, completing the form, or to ask other related questions.^{[16]
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7
Await a resolution or response. After you have delivered your complaint, it will then be handled by the Nevada Real Estate Division. You may be contacted to provide additional details. In some instances, you might be asked to testify if the Real Estate Division elects to open an investigation based on your submission. If you have not heard anything after a few weeks, you may contact the Real Estate Division to check on the progress of your complaint.^{[17]
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