Need something else?

You can make a complaint about businesses that sell merchandise or offer services from a booth or stand at a street fair in New York City. This does not include food vendors.

You can report consumer complaints such as:

  • Damaged or defective goods
  • False or misleading advertising
  • Operating without a license
  • Overcharge
  • Refund, return, or exchange refused
  • Scale inaccurate or broken

Your complaint should include:

  • The vendor's exact location
  • Date and time of the incident
  • The vendor’s Consumer and Worker Protection license number if possible

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) may not be able to handle your complaint without this information.

What Happens Next

If you don't include your address or email with your Service Request, you won't receive follow up. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will consider your complaint a tip.

If you include your address, DCWP will mail you a complaint form. You must complete and return it to DCWP. If you provide your email address, you'll get the form by email instead. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.

You can report a food safety issue at a food vendor at a street fair.

Types of complaints include:

  • Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods
  • Spoiled or contaminated food
  • Roaches, mice, or rats
  • Unsanitary practices
  • Sick vendor

Your complaint should include:

  • The vendor's exact location
  • Date and time of the incident
  • Health license number (appears on the cart, stand, or truck's decal)

To report that someone got sick from eating food, go to the Food Poisoning page.

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) does not accept reports of rude employees. Report this type of complaint to the business.

For reports of discrimination, go to the Discrimination page.

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) can help you with complaints about businesses in New York City. For complaints about businesses elsewhere, contact the local consumer affairs office or the State Attorney General.

Online

Learn how to file a complaint about a business outside of NYC.

By Phone

  • Agency: Nassau County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (516) 571-2600
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (631) 853-4600
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
  • Phone Number: (914) 995-2155
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (973) 504-6200
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  Was this information helpful?   Yes    No