Make a complaint about a business
How to make a complaint about a business licensed by the Department of Service Nova Scotia if you feel you’ve been treated unfairly by the business and the problem isn’t resolved. Try to resolve your complaint directly with the business first.
If you feel you’ve been treated unfairly by a business and the problem isn’t resolved, you can make a complaint about a business.
Try resolving your complaint directly
Try to resolve your complaint directly with the business first.
Complaints we can help with
Access Nova Scotia may be able to help if you have a complaint about a business licensed by the Department of Service Nova Scotia. You can make a complaint about the following types of businesses, goods or services:
- collection agencies
- payday lenders
- credit bureaus
- direct sellers (includes door-to-door salespeople, telemarketers and people who sell items at home-based parties)
- funeral homes and cemeteries
- mortgage brokers or lenders
- gift cards
- lenders (other than banks or credit unions)
- agents of lenders (for example, furniture stores who offer financing through a lender)
- other consumer purchases
Complaints we can’t help with
If your complaint is about a business that’s not licensed by the Department of Service Nova Scotia or if it’s about a business, product or service that’s not administered by the Department of Service Nova Scotia, the Consumer Services Division can’t help you resolve the matter.
Who can use this form
Consumers can use this form if they feel they’ve been treated unfairly by a business and the problem isn’t resolved.
What you need to do
- Complete the form online.
- Submit your completed form.
- The Business and Consumer Services Division registers your complaint.
- If your complaint is about a business that’s licensed by the Department of Service Nova Scotia, the Business and Consumer Services Division may investigate the complaint further.
How long it takes
It should take 1 to 2 weeks to receive a response from the Business and Consumer Services Division. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
There is no cost to submit the form.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- name of business, phone number and contact person you’re making a complaint about
- value of the goods or services you’re making the complaint about
- date of transaction and the date you received the goods or services
- full name of the person you’re acting on behalf of if you’re acting on behalf of someone (and signature of the person you’re acting on behalf of if you’re submitting the form by mail)
Online
You can use the I Have a Complaint Form (PDF 47 kB) if you’re unable to submit the form online. Send your completed form to Access Nova Scotia by mail.