By Samantha Paul A new appliance breaks before its warranty runs out. A seller ignores repeated requests to honor a refund. A home-repair job remains unfinished even after payment. Maine consumers with problems like these have access to an unusual resource: a free Consumer Mediation Service operating through the Attorney General’s Office.
The program can help a customer and business discuss a possible settlement, but its mediators cannot compel either side to agree. Knowing that limitation, and contacting the company before filing, are important parts of using the service effectively.
Who Is the Current Attorney General of Maine?
As of October 15, 2026, Aaron M. Frey is the Attorney General of Maine. He is the state’s 58th attorney general and previously represented the Bangor and Orono area in the Maine House of Representatives. Before entering the attorney general’s office, he also practiced law in Bangor.
Unlike a personally retained lawyer, the attorney general represents the public interest and the state. The Consumer Protection Division helps consumers understand issues and pursue voluntary mediation, while also identifying conduct that may warrant broader enforcement.
Maine Attorney General Contact Numbers
Maine separates its general office line from its Consumer Information and Mediation Service. The consumer lines have narrower telephone hours.
Main office: (207) 626-8800 — the published general Attorney General number.
Consumer complaint line (local): (207) 626-8849 — for business complaints and mediation requests.
Consumer complaint line (toll-free): 1-800-436-2131 — Maine consumer assistance; calls Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.
General office email: attorney.general@maine.gov — general office correspondence.
TTY / relay: 711 — Maine Relay services.
The published contact page is https://www.maine.gov/ag/about-us/contact-us. The online consumer complaint channel is preferable for a new written request; the general email address is not the dedicated intake form.
Maine Attorney General Office Address
Attorney General mailing address: Maine Office of the Attorney General, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330-0006.
Consumer Mediation Service correspondence: Consumer Information and Mediation Service, Office of the Attorney General, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330-0006.
The state directs consumers primarily to its electronic complaint service and advises calling the consumer line when help is needed. Keep copies of anything sent through the mail.
How to File a Complaint With the Maine Attorney General
Maine recommends first asking the business to correct the problem. If that fails, its free Consumer Mediation Service offers a voluntary, non-binding way to seek agreement.
Step 1: Contact the business before involving the state
Tell someone with authority at the business what happened and what remedy you want. Explain the dates, purchase or contract terms, and earlier attempts to resolve the issue. Maine recommends keeping a written record, including letters or emails, rather than relying only on a telephone conversation.
Step 2: Start the official online complaint and mediation request
Go to https://www1.maine.gov/ag/online-services/complaint-form and follow the Consumer Complaint Form link. This is the state’s designated route for a business complaint and request for mediation. For telephone guidance, use (207) 626-8849 or 1-800-436-2131 during the listed hours.
Step 3: Make sure mediation is an appropriate option
Maine does not mediate purely private-party disputes, business-to-business disputes, matters assigned to another agency, or cases where one party has already filed a lawsuit. If a bank, public utility, or other regulated industry is involved, the state may direct you to a different regulator.
Step 4: Describe the dispute and submit copies of evidence
Complete the required fields, write an orderly description of the problem, and state the resolution you are requesting. Attach copies of relevant receipts, contracts, warranties, canceled checks, and correspondence. The office cautions that submitted documents are not returned, so keep your originals.
Step 5: Watch for mediation updates and report changes
After submitting, keep a record of the filing and respond if the office asks for clarification. Maine asks consumers to update the office if new evidence emerges or the business settles independently; you can reply to an office email or write to its Augusta address.
What Happens After You File a Complaint?
The Consumer Mediation Service screens the complaint for eligibility. If mediation appears suitable, the office notifies the parties and sends a copy to the business. The parties are invited to resolve the matter, and a trained mediator may become involved if an agreement is not reached directly. Participation is voluntary; complaints are generally addressed in the order received, and some may wait weeks or months for mediation.
If mediation fails, Maine points consumers toward other options, including its small-claims process and private legal advice. Maine’s consumer guidance states that, since January 1, 2026, the small-claims monetary threshold is $10,000, excluding certain costs. A complaint can also contribute to statewide consumer-enforcement work, but the Attorney General does not become the complainant’s private attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will a Maine business receive my complaint?
Yes, if the dispute is accepted for mediation, the office says it sends a copy to the business and informs the parties that the process has begun.
Q. How quickly will a mediator be assigned?
There is no guaranteed quick turnaround. Maine says complaints are handled first-come, first-served and it can take weeks or months for an eligible matter to reach mediation.
Q. Can I use mediation after filing a lawsuit?
Generally not. Maine lists disputes where a lawsuit has already been filed by either party among matters the service does not mediate.
Q. What happens if the company refuses to participate?
Mediation is voluntary. The service cannot impose a settlement; consumers may need to consider small claims court, other dispute routes, or advice from a private lawyer.
Amelia Anderson