How to File a Complaint Against Synchrony

What is it? You can’t sue Synchrony Bank using something like a class action lawsuit but you can use small claims court. Small claims court is for, as the name suggests, small claims. You go before a judge and present your case. Most small claims court limits range from $2,500 to $10,000. Depending on where you live and how much is involved in your case, you might exceed this limit. What’s more, small claims courts can only offer monetary compensation, not equitable compensation so if you are trying to file a claim against synchrony or something tangible other than money, it won’t work here. 

When to try it: When you have the time and money to go back and forth to your local courthouse, and you want to make your case known in the public legal system.

What you need to do: Locate your local small claims court and follow the steps laid out by the small claims court online. Every state has different rules to be followed and you must follow each rule precisely. What’s more, you might have specific rules based on the county in which you file. Still, filing a small claims court lawsuit is generally easier than larger litigation. 

What to expect:  If you follow all of the steps for your area, you present a good case, and you have sufficient evidence, is it likely that you will get the compensation you asked for. Synchrony Bank might also offer a settlement in exchange for dropping the suit early on.

What is it? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is a federal government agency that regulates much of their business. The CFPB provides an informal channel for consumers to submit claims and complaints against Synchrony. It’s up to the CFPB’s internal procedures to determine what happens next. You can find more information about these procedures here.

When to try it:  You are frustrated with synchrony and want to let the government and the public know about your issue. This generally isn’t a way to get compensation but it does give you publicity.

What you need to do: File an informal complaint on the CFPB’s public website by following the instructions here.

What to expect:  Your complaint gets posted in a public database and the organization will use your complaint to regulate companies like synchrony. You might get asked for follow-up information but not necessarily. Think of it like tattling on a sibling to your parents: just because you don’t see your sibling get punished doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but you don’t get anything out of it.

What is it? The Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) and its local chapters are private organizations that collect and publish complaints. They are a public platform so any complaint you lodge is made available for viewing by any visitor to the website. This includes Synchrony. Synchrony is given a chance to respond to your complaints. 

When to try it: When their BBB page shows that it is actively responding to complaints. If you see that they have responded to other customers, it’s very likely that they will respond to you. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to time frames when the company is active. If you are dissatisfied and you want the internet to know regardless of whether you get compensation, you can submit your complaint at any time.

What you need to do: Go to Synchrony’s BBB profile and follow the instructions for submitting a complaint.

What to expect:  What happens next depends entirely on whether the company decides to respond to you. If they do, they might respond directly through the channel and ask for follow-up information to try and resolve the issue. Ultimately it’s up to Synchrony to respond.

What is it?  Because the small print of your user agreement with Synchrony Bank doesn’t let you join large lawsuits, there has to be a legal alternative and that alternative is using independent arbitration. Independent arbitration costs Synchrony Bank money so once you let them know that you are filing arbitration they might be more likely to settle in order to avoid extended costs.

When to try it: If you believe that Synchrony Bank has misled you, violated the law, or violated their contract with you this is a good opportunity. Claims typically involve financial compensation up to $10,000.

What you need to do: Fill out our form below to start your claim against Synchrony.

What to expect: For more details about arbitration against Synchrony, click here. (For a list of companies we process complaints against, start here.) Share your Synchrony complaint with FairShake.