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Financial Ombudsman Service

A free service set up by Parliament. If you could not sort out a complaint with a bank, insurer, lender or other financial business, you can ask it to look into it. It covers things like bank accounts, credit cards, loans, insurance, pensions, savings and investments.

Call 0800 023 4567Visit their site ↗

Good to know

Complain to the business first. For most complaints it has up to 8 weeks. For fraud and scams, bank transfers and direct debits, and online money transfers, it has only 15 days. If you are not happy with its final response, or you hear nothing in time, you can bring the complaint to the ombudsman. You have 6 months from the date on the final response. You do not need to pay a lawyer or a claims firm. If you are severely ill, in financial difficulty or need help urgently, tell the business early.

Before you call

Have ready

  • the final response letter from the business, which you should keep: the ombudsman will ask to see it
  • notes of any calls, emails and letters between you and the business

They may ask

  • about your complaint, what has happened and which financial business you are complaining about

They can

  • look into your complaint if you have had a final response you are not happy with, or the business has had its time and not replied
  • talk to you by phone if you are severely ill or in financial difficulty and need to speak to someone urgently about your complaint
  • take calls through Relay UK on (18002) 020 7964 1000
  • tell you about other organisations that may help, if it cannot

They cannot

  • help if it has already looked at the complaint, if the courts have made a decision about the case, or if it is outside the time limits
  • see you in person: its offices are not set up for face-to-face help

The helpline gets busy sometimes, so you may need to wait to speak to someone.

In the emergency guides: My bank account was frozen or closed → · A flood, fire or storm hit my home → · I paid a scammer, or think I've been scammed → · I lost my wallet, phone or ID, or it was stolen →

Phone
0800 023 4567
Website
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Languages
English
Last checked
October 10, 2026

See something out of date or wrong? Tell us and we’ll check it.

We list this organization because it is a national service for the need on this page. We’re not affiliated with it, and we don’t speak for it. Last checked October 10, 2026: we opened its own site and confirmed this link and number. We don’t call the lines, and hours can change — their site has the latest.

Heavy moment? Call Samaritans on 116 123 — or we’re here.

Shared by FindAngel.org — free, always · https://findangel.org/resources/uk-financial-ombudsman/

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