By Samantha Paul An online purchase never arrives, a collection firm makes questionable demands, or a company handles personal information in a way that appears unlawful. Texans can report such concerns to the Office of the Attorney General, but filing a report is not the same as opening a private case. The state’s Consumer Protection Division collects information that may reveal widespread problems and may act where public enforcement is appropriate.
Texas also has a detail that every complainant should know before uploading documents: the complaint may be released under state public-records law. This guide explains the complaint categories, current contact details and realistic expectations after submission.
Who Is the Current Attorney General of Texas?
As of October 15, 2026, Ken Paxton is the Attorney General of Texas. He first took office in January 2015. The Office of the Attorney General’s current contact and consumer complaint pages identify him as the officeholder.
The office defends the state in legal matters, enforces certain consumer statutes and oversees specialized work involving privacy, charitable organizations and other issues. Consumers submit reports for public-interest review, not to retain the Attorney General for private legal representation.
Texas Attorney General Contact Numbers
For a deceptive-business complaint, the dedicated Consumer Protection Hotline is more appropriate than the general agency switchboard:
Main switchboard: (512) 463-2100 — general Attorney General office calls.
Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-621-0508 — complaints and consumer-protection questions.
Constituent Affairs: 1-800-252-8011 — general constituent matters.
General agency assistance: 1-800-252-8014 — statewide general contact line listed by the office.
Online contact form: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us-online-form — general correspondence, not the consumer complaint intake.
Texas Attorney General Office Address
General mailing address: Office of the Attorney General, P.O. Box 12548, Austin, TX 78711-2548.
Delivery address: Office of the Attorney General, 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701.
The office lists a post-office box for ordinary mail and a street address for deliveries. Its consumer guidance prioritizes filing through the online complaint portal; do not assume a letter to the general correspondence address has entered the formal consumer complaint system.
How to File a Complaint With the Texas Attorney General
For a consumer complaint, use the designated intake process below rather than a general office inquiry. Other allegation types may require separate agencies or forms.
Step 1: Open the official complaint category selector
Go to https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint and select File Your Complaint Online. The state directs users to different forms based on their concern. The General form covers deceptive sales claims, undelivered goods, billing, debt collection, charities and similar misconduct. Separate Privacy and AI forms address potentially unlawful handling of data or AI-related practices.
Step 2: Gather everything before starting the online form
Texas says the online system cannot save a complaint that is only partly completed. Do not press your browser’s Back button, which may erase the entry. Prepare the business name and full address, transaction dates, amounts, contracts, relevant website or email details and a short record of attempts to resolve the issue.
Step 3: Write the allegation and upload selected evidence
Explain what the company promised, what happened and the harm caused. Upload only relevant correspondence, invoices, screenshots or other proof. Texas accepts common document, image and certain audio/video formats; the portal allows up to ten attachments, with a 25 MB limit per file. Do not include dates of birth, Social Security numbers, government identification or financial account numbers.
Step 4: Review the public-information warning and submit
Complaints and attachments generally may be disclosed under the Texas Public Information Act. Remove needless private details rather than assuming the state will keep everything confidential. Complete the appropriate form and preserve the automatic confirmation email and the unique reference number sent by the portal.
Step 5: Use the reference number appropriately
The assigned number merely identifies your submission. It does not mean the office has opened an investigation, decided the complaint is valid or agreed to represent you. If you have a question about complaint selection or filing, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508.
What Happens After You File a Complaint?
The Texas Attorney General’s Office says it reviews reports for informational purposes to monitor harmful business practices across the state. Staff may contact the business or ask the complainant for more information, but the office may not follow up at all after its acknowledgment. The office may use reports in a broader investigation or lawsuit when appropriate.
The process does not guarantee mediation, restitution or a personal recovery. The state does not provide individualized legal advice, and an acknowledgment does not determine whether misconduct occurred. Consumers with chargeback, arbitration or filing deadlines should pursue those options independently rather than waiting for a response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does a Texas complaint number mean an investigation has started?
No. Texas expressly says the assigned number is for reference only. It is not a finding about the complaint and does not show that any case or investigation is pending.
Q. Can the public request my complaint and attachments?
Potentially, yes. The state warns that complaints and related documents are generally public records. Redact unnecessary sensitive information before filing.
Q. What if I selected the wrong complaint form?
The office says the important point is to file the report. Staff may contact you for additional details or ask you to complete the more appropriate category form.
Q. Will the Attorney General negotiate a refund for me?
Not necessarily. Texas may contact the business, but says such contact may or may not resolve an individual dispute. The Attorney General cannot serve as your private attorney or promise reimbursement.