A loan, credit card or buy-now-pay-later company treats me unfairly — who do I contact?
Every lender must have a complaints procedure and answer within a fixed deadline, so start there in writing. When they refuse, ignore you or the deadline passes, Finanční arbitr (257 042 070) — the financial ombudsman for Czechia — decides for free and the lender must follow. Česká národní banka — ochrana spotřebitele (224 411 111) licenses lenders and takes complaints about unlicensed or predatory lending, hidden costs and unfair terms. Česká obchodní inspekce (ČOI) (222 703 404) helps with your rights as a consumer, such as the 14-day withdrawal from any credit agreement.
🗣️ What to say
"I make a formal complaint about agreement [number]. [The interest / fee / charge] was not disclosed clearly / is not in the contract / the payment plan was changed without my consent. I ask you to [refund / correct] within the legal deadline and to confirm in writing."
🪜 Step by step
- Complain to the lenderIn writing, with the word "complaint". They must answer within the legal deadline (often 15 working days, up to two months).
- Check the paperworkPre-contract information, total cost of credit, APR — missing or misleading information can make fees unenforceable.
- Withdrawal rightAny consumer credit can be cancelled within 14 days without reason, repaying only the capital and interest for the days used.
- Escalate to Finanční arbitrFree, in writing, binding on the lender up to a limit. Attach the complaint and the answer.
- Unlicensed lender: Česká národní banka — ochrana spotřebiteleCheck the register. An unlicensed lender cannot enforce interest and may not enforce the loan at all.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Buy-now-pay-later counts as credit?
Yes since the 2023 consumer credit rules: same complaint rights, same ombudsman, and the fees must be disclosed up front.
They added a "late fee" I never saw
A fee not in the contract cannot be charged. Dispute it and complain; the ombudsman removes these routinely.
Can they take money from my account?
Only with a valid direct-debit mandate you gave. You can revoke the mandate at the bank and reverse unauthorised debits.
📎 Sources
- Finanční arbitr →
- Česká národní banka — ochrana spotřebitele →
- Česká obchodní inspekce (ČOI) →
- Poradna při finanční tísni / Člověk v tísni — dluhová poradna →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “loan company complaint Czechia”
- “financial ombudsman credit dispute”
- “credit card fee not disclosed refund”
- “buy now pay later complaint”
- “withdraw from credit agreement 14 days”
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