Complain About Oxfam - learn how to file a complaint

Navigating a large charity's contact system can be a headache. Use this table to find the right channel for your specific issue, so you don't waste time getting bounced around different departments.

Don't hold your breath. Getting a response can take a while.

• Have Your Details Ready: Know your donor ID (if you have one), the date of the transaction, and the amount.
• Call Mid-Morning: Avoid calling right at 9 am or during the lunch hour. Try around 10:30 am ET for potentially shorter wait times.
• Be Clear and Concise: State your problem and what you want (e.g., 'I need to cancel my $20 monthly donation, effective immediately.') in the first 30 seconds.

If your emails and calls are going unanswered, it's time to escalate. Don't just give up.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

For US donors, you can file a complaint against Oxfam America with the BBB. They are an accredited charity, and the BBB will mediate on your behalf to get a response. The process is formal and public, which often encourages organizations to resolve the matter. Be prepared to wait, though. The BBB process isn't fast, but Oxfam will be required to respond.

State Charity Officials

Most states have a division that oversees charitable organizations, often within the Attorney General's office. You can file a complaint here, especially if it relates to fundraising practices you believe are deceptive or overly aggressive. This is a serious step, so make sure you have documented all your previous attempts to resolve the issue with Oxfam directly.

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Donation Issue on Supporter ID [[Your Supporter/Donor ID, if known]]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to you again to resolve an issue with my account. Despite my previous attempt to contact you on [[Date of last contact]], my problem remains unsolved, and honestly, my patience is wearing thin.

On [[Date of incident]], [[describe the issue clearly, e.g., an incorrect amount was charged to my card, I received fundraising mail after opting out, my monthly donation was not cancelled as requested]]. Having to chase this down has been both time-consuming and incredibly frustrating, especially when I support your mission.

To resolve this, I require you to [[state your demand clearly, e.g., process a refund for the incorrect charge of $XX.XX, immediately remove me from all mailing lists, provide written confirmation that my recurring donation is cancelled]].

Please be aware that if this is not resolved within five business days, my next step will be to file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]] [[Your Phone Number]]

• Ask for a Reference Number. Whether on the phone or by email, always ask for a ticket or reference number for your complaint. It makes follow-up calls much easier.
• Reference Their Own Policies. Charities often have a 'Supporter Promise' or 'Donor Charter' on their website. Casually mentioning it shows you've done your homework and expect them to uphold their own standards.
• Use a Calm but Firm Tone. You can be frustrated without being rude. A calm, factual approach is harder to dismiss than an angry rant. One user on a forum mentioned they got a resolution only after they stopped showing emotion and just repeated the facts of the case and their desired outcome.
• Try a Public Tweet. A polite but public message on Twitter (now X) tagging their official handle can sometimes get a quicker response from their communications team than an email to a general inbox.

Tired of sending emails into a void and wondering if anyone at Oxfam even read it? It's a common feeling. You try to do a good thing, and then you're stuck in an administrative loop just to make a simple change. Sound familiar? Instead of spending another lunch break on hold or drafting yet another follow-up email, let Pine AI handle it. We send the formal complaint, manage the follow-ups, and persist on your behalf until the issue is confirmed as resolved. No more wondering if you've been heard. We make sure of it.