Virginia SCC - Search

BFI Complaints

Bureau of Financial Institutions online complaint form

Consumer Resources

Help for Homeowners and Renters
Mortgage Closing Scams
Virtual Currency / Cryptocurrency
- Virtual Currency Notice
- FDIC Fact Sheet regarding FDIC Insurance and Crypto Companies
Mortgage Relief Scams
Complaints Against Credit Reporting Agencies
Mortgage Delinquency and Foreclosure
Fake Website Scams

Theft Prevention

The Bureau of Insurance offers a variety of free insurance resources, including auto and homeowners insurance consumer guides.
For insurance questions and concerns, call the Bureau’s Property and Casualty Consumer Services Section at 1-877-310-6560 (toll-free) or 804-371-9185 (Richmond).
If you have a complaint about your insurance agent or company, visit our complaints page for information on what to do.

The Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) is a regulatory division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC.) This division is involved in consumer protection through administration of state laws regarding depository and non-depository financial institutions.

Depository financial institutions are comprised of Virginia-chartered banks and related holding companies, savings institutions and related holding companies, and credit unions. Non-depository institutions consist of trust companies, consumer finance companies, mortgage lenders and brokers, money transmitters, credit counseling agencies, motor vehicle title lenders, industrial loan associations, short-term lenders, check cashers, student loan servicers, and debt settlement services providers. Each institution is required to obtain a certificate of authority or a license prior to engaging in business with the exception of check cashers. Check cashers are required to register with the Bureau.

The Bureau also investigates and responds to consumer complaints. In addition to written complaints, the staff responds to thousands of telephone inquiries. The Bureau also has an outreach program for the purpose of improving the financial literacy of Virginians.

Investor Education & Financial Literacy

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
AARP offers engaging and helpful content on a variety of topics including personal finance, retirement and investing.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) maintains the vision of an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. Their mission is to be a leader in advancing this marketplace trust. The organization exists as a resource for consumers and businesses alike to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses. BBB provides educational information and expert advice that is free of charge and easily accessible.
Consumer Federation of America
Since 1968, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has provided consumers a well-reasoned and articulate voice in decisions that affect their lives. Day in and out, CFA's professional staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates information to the public, policymakers, and rest of the consumer movement.
Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Information (FTC)
The FTC deals with issues that touch the economic life of every American. It is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy. The FTC pursues vigorous and effective law enforcement; advances consumers’ interests by sharing its expertise with federal and state legislatures and U.S. and international government agencies; develops policy and research tools through hearings, workshops, and conferences; and creates practical and plain-language educational programs for consumers and businesses in a global marketplace with constantly changing technologies.
National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
The NFIC was originally established in 1992 by the National Consumers League, the oldest nonprofit consumer organization in the United States, to fight the growing menace of telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement. Their mission is to give consumers the information they need to avoid becoming victims of telemarketing and Internet fraud and to help them get their complaints to law enforcement agencies quickly and easily.
Internet Crime Complaint Center
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 gives the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The central mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.