Consumer Services

What to do before you contact us for help

Make an effort to solve the problem yourself.

1. Go back to the business with which you have a problem. Sometimes consumer complaints are simply a matter of communication between the business and customer. Perhaps if you both make an effort, you can settle the matter on your own.
2. Personally contact the manager, owner, main office, manufacturer or whoever is in charge. Many business people are anxious to solve complaints and keep customers happy.

What to do if you are unable to resolve the problem

If you've tried and failed to resolve your complaint directly with the person or company responsible for the business transaction, call the Miami-Dade County Consumer Mediation Center at 305-375-3677. You can fill out an online complaint form. Please send all supporting documents (estimates, invoices, warranties, advertisements, letters to or from the business) attached in an email to consumer@miamidade.gov. If you are unable to do this please write the temporary complaint number on the supporting documentation mail this to the Consumer Mediation Center, 140 West Flagler Street, Suite 902, Miami, Fl. 33130. You can also fax the documentation to the Center at 305-375-4120.

Upon receipt of your completed complaint form and supporting documentation, your complaint will be analyzed to determine the most appropriate action. It may be determined that the complaint should be handled by another agency. In such a case, we will refer the matter to that agency. This is done to avoid having you contact several different agencies before reaching the proper one.

If it is decided that we should handle the complaint, the matter will be investigated and a determination made regarding the proper disposition of the case. This action may involve mediation or the issuing of a civil citation against the person or business.

The records and files of the Consumer Services Department are public documents and as such consumers can contact the CSD to determine whether complaints have been filed with us against a particular enterprise.