The Fair Trading Act does not require the Commission to investigate every complaint it receives. As the Commission receives thousands of complaints it would be impractical to investigate all of them. The high volume of complaints has led the Commission to develop screening criteria to decide which complaints most warrant intervention by the Commission. The Commission assesses all matters that suggest a prima facie breach of the Fair Trading Act against the screening criteria.

If you wish to make a complaint about an alleged breach of the Act we ask that you supply the following information so that the Commission can fully assess it as quickly as possible.

Your Details (so that we can maintain contact with you):

• Your full name.
• Your full address and contact details (Postal address, telephone, fax, and email details).

Details of Complaint (so that we can assess the situation quickly):

• The name of the trader (the business or the individual) that you are complaining about.
• The address of the trader and contact details if known.
• Full details of the complaint you wish to make in chronological order; this should include all contact you have had with the trader and any explanation that that trader has given you.
• What you think are the misleading or false representations that are the basis of your complaint.

What else would be helpful for you to supply:

• Copies of any relevant advertising.
• Photos of misleading signs involved in your complaint.
• Copies of any notes you may have made concerning your contact with the trader.
• Copies of any correspondence between yourself and the trader concerning the matter of complaint.
• Any other information or documents that you feel could assist the Commission in assessing this complaint.

How to submit your information:

• Email your information to contact@comcom.govt.nz
• Post your information to: Commerce Commission PO Box 2351 Wellington 6140

Click here for more information on how to submit enquiries and complaints.