Consumer financial watchdog adds to complaint database

WASHINGTON, May 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's consumer complaint database has been expanded to include state-by-state information, the watchdog said Friday.

The complaint database also now includes complaints about money transfers and credit reporting.

"This data puts valuable information in the hands of consumers to help them understand what is happening in their states," CFPB Director Richard Cordray said. "And by adding credit reporting and money transfer complaints to the Consumer Complaint Database, we are making these important markets more transparent and accountable to all consumers."

The searchable database allows the public to see what consumers -- stripped of personal information -- complained about and why, including the type of complaint, the date of submission and the company the complaint concerns.