A contractor disappears after taking a deposit. A company refuses to correct a deceptive bill. An online seller never delivers a paid order. For Texans facing problems like these, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) provides a way to report suspected unlawful business practices. But contacting the office and filing a formal complaint are two different things, and neither automatically produces a refund.
This guide explains who currently leads the Texas Attorney General’s Office, which numbers to call, how to submit a complaint through the official state portal, and what happens once the complaint is received.
Who Is the Current Attorney General of Texas?
As of October 15, 2026, Ken Paxton is the Attorney General of Texas. He is the state’s 51st attorney general, first taking office on January 5, 2015, after winning the 2014 election. He was reelected in 2018 and 2022.
The Attorney General’s Office represents Texas in legal matters, advises authorized state officials, enforces consumer protection laws, administers child support services, and works on open-government and crime-victim programs. It does not serve as a personal law firm for residents who are involved in private disputes.
Texas Attorney General Contact Numbers
The appropriate phone number depends on the issue. The following contacts are listed by the Attorney General’s Office:
Main office switchboard: 512-463-2100 — general calls and assistance finding the appropriate division.
Consumer Protection Hotline: 800-621-0508 — consumer complaints, suspected scams, and deceptive business practices.
Constituent Affairs: 800-252-8011 — general correspondence and constituent inquiries.
Child Support: 800-252-8014 — child support services and account questions.
Crime Victims’ Compensation: 800-983-9933 or 512-936-1200 — assistance with the state’s crime-victim compensation program; staff availability is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
Open Government Hotline: 877-673-6839 — questions relating to open government and public information.
Official contact page: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us
Texas Attorney General Office Address
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.
These are the office’s published contact addresses. For a consumer complaint, the state’s online complaint portal is the clearest starting point; do not assume that mailing a general letter will place it into the consumer complaint system.
How to File a Complaint With the Texas Attorney General
The process is most straightforward for consumer protection concerns. Before starting, identify the type of issue and gather your records.
Step 1: Open the official complaint page
Visit: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint and select the online complaint option. The direct Consumer Complaint Portal is at https://consumerprotection.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumercomplaintportal/s/.
Step 2: Choose the complaint category
The portal directs users to the appropriate form. A General complaint covers issues such as misleading advertising, scams, disputed charges, refund problems, unfair sales tactics, and unlawful debt collection. A Privacy complaint addresses suspected misuse of personal information or data privacy violations. An AI complaint concerns certain allegedly unlawful uses of artificial intelligence.
For problems involving government public-records requests, charitable trusts, school districts, or other specialized matters, consult the separate complaint options at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/divisions/file-complaint rather than assuming the general consumer form applies.
Step 3: Gather the details and supporting evidence
Have the business name, mailing address, website, relevant dates, amount paid, and a short account of what went wrong ready. Include what the company promised, what actually happened, and any attempts you made to settle the matter. Contracts, receipts, invoices, emails, and screenshots can help establish a clear timeline.
The online portal accepts supporting uploads. The OAG currently lists a limit of up to 10 files and a maximum file size of 25 MB. Its form cannot save an unfinished submission, so prepare your information before you begin and avoid using the browser’s Back button.
Step 4: Review the complaint for accuracy and privacy
Describe events factually and in chronological order. Do not include your Social Security number, date of birth, government-issued identification number, or financial account numbers. Consumer complaints and attachments are generally subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act.
Step 5: Submit and save your confirmation
After submitting the online form, you should receive a confirmation email with a unique complaint number. Keep that message for future reference. The number confirms receipt; it does not mean the office has opened a formal investigation or accepted the allegations as proven.
What Happens After You File a Complaint?
The Consumer Protection Division reviews submissions to identify possible violations and patterns affecting Texas residents. It may seek information from the business or forward an issue to another agency with more direct regulatory authority. You may not receive another message unless staff need further details.
A complaint does not guarantee a refund, mediation, or a lawsuit. The OAG brings enforcement actions on behalf of Texas and the public interest; it cannot represent an individual consumer or provide personal legal advice. Someone pursuing compensation may also need to dispute a charge with their payment provider, consider the relevant licensing agency, or speak with a private attorney about available remedies and deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I file a complaint if the company has closed or moved?
You can still report what happened using the information you have. If the business was registered in Texas, the Secretary of State’s business records may help you locate its registered agent or current address. Include the last known contact details and transaction records.
Q. What if I chose the wrong complaint form?
The OAG says it may contact you for additional information or ask you to complete a different form. Do not submit multiple versions simply to force an investigation.
Q. Should complaints about an insurance company or doctor go to the Attorney General?
The OAG may review or forward certain complaints, but the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Medical Board have direct regulatory responsibilities in their respective fields. Filing with the relevant regulator can be important when your concern falls under its authority.
Q. How can I obtain a copy of a complaint I already submitted?
The OAG directs consumers seeking a copy of their submitted complaint to use the state public-information request process. Keep your confirmation number to make the request easier to identify.
