Sometimes you just have to file a credit complaint. You may think you have done everything right but a creditor or Credit Card Company may be interfering with your finances. If you need to resolve some sort of an issue between you and a bank it is advised that you file a complaint with the federal agencies under the new consumer credit protection laws.

The Federal Reserve System is set up in order to help consumers who are having trouble with banks or other financial institutions. The Federal Bank often looks into complaints made by consumers against FDIC approved banks. Credit card holders have their rights and they should know them and understand the processes of how to fight for them.

There are twelve Federal Reserve Banks across the United States, according to regions and a main job they have is to regulate the banks that are under them. While they may not handle your personal situation, they will certainly forward your request to someone who can. The Federal Reserve acts as a consumer protector from unfair creditors.

You should always write to the Federal Reserve in the form of a written request. You shouldn't do it by email or by phone call, just written notice. In your complaint you should include the name and address of the bank or credit card company in question, a short overview of your complaint; (keep it short- they don't want to read pages about your hurt!) and all of your contact information.

If you have additional documentation it is wise to include this as well. Make sure you include copies of documentation not the actual documents themselves because you will most likely not get them back!

Always write to the Division of Consumer and Community Affairs. The Federal Reserve is made up of a multitude of branches and divisions so making sure you address it to the right source will better your chances of getting through the system quicker.

The Reserve will contact you within two business weeks and let you know whether they will be handling your case themselves or if they will be forwarding it to someone else to cover. There are many other federal agencies spread over the United States that handle similar claims.

If you happen to be one of those claims that get investigated by the Federal Reserve you can expect a pretty intense investigation. They will most likely require you to have the bank's response to your complaint (just to make sure you made an effort to resolve the issue without their help) and they will want other documents as well. If it turns out the bank or credit card company in question broke a federal law, you will be contacted immediately and the Federal Reserve will take appropriate action.

While the Federal Reserve and the FDIC has control over all of the banks that are registered through them, there still are a couple of limitations set on them. For instance, they can't resolve all consumer issues such as contact disputes, factual disputes or bank policy disagreements. The Reserve can recommend legal counsel but they cannot take any part in resolving these issues themselves.

If you win a case against your credit card company or bank, you can expect to walk away with quite a bit. Creditors are hit pretty severe when it comes to breaking federal laws and here are just a few ways they will have to pay up:

• Equal Credit Opportunity Act: If a creditor has violated you as under this Act, you can sue for damages including punitive damages up to $10,000. Beyond this you can even expect to be awarded court costs and attorney's fees.
• Truth in Lending and Consumer Leasing Acts: When creditors refuse to disclose information regarding these acts (or gives false information) they are not staying with the particular laws speaking about credit cards or home equity loans.

If this is your case, you are able to sue your creditor for damages, actual and punitive, as well as twice the finance charge. You are guaranteed to walk away with between $100 and $1000 and you will be awarded attorney's fees and court costs in most cases.

• Fair Credit Reporting Act: A credit reporting agency that breaks the rules as are under this Act are entitled to pay you actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees and court costs.

If a credit card company has disclosed your information purposefully without your knowledge then they will also be liable for up to $5000 in fines and up to one year in prison!

• Fair Credit Billing Act: If a credit card company or other creditor doesn't correct billing errors or illegitimate negative information regarding your account then they will lose the amount of money in question, the finance charges involved and up to $50. As the consumer, you are able to sue for between $100 and $1000 in actual and punitive damages - plus court fees and attorney fees.
• Electronic Fund Transfer Act: When a creditor doesn't follow the strict guidelines as spelled out in this Act they will be held liable for between $100 and $1000 (if you decide to sue). You can also sue for all of the damages occurring because of their inability to transfer your funds.