Complaints involving the cost of living

The Financial Ombudsman Service can investigate a wide range of complaints about financial products and services, including complaints that are related to the rising cost of living.

If you are unhappy with something a lender or financial business has done, or you think you haven’t been treated fairly, find out how we can help.

Other complaints about financial services

We can help with a wide range of other complaints too. You can find a list on our complaints we can help with page.

Complaints about other issues, like energy or internet

If you're experiencing an issue with another type of business, about something other than a financial product or service (such as your energy bill or internet service), look at our list of other complaint-handling organisations that might be able to help.

Other complaint-handling organisations

Advice, support and charities

If you're worried about essential bills or looking for debt advice or guidance about your financial situation, there are organisations who can help:

  • StepChange Debt Charity offers free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation and provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed
  • MoneyHelper is a government backed service that can help you find a way forward if you’re worried about money and finding it difficult to know where to start
  • Citizens Advice offers free advice on debt and other money problems
  • Help for Households is a government campaign that highlights the support available to help with the cost of living

If you need urgent emotional support, there are organisations that are available 24 hours.

Regulation of financial services in the UK

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services firms and financial markets in the UK. On their website you can find information about:

Information for businesses

We encourage financial businesses to consider our approach and guidance when handling complaints from their customers. Financial businesses handling or responding to complaints can look at our online guidance about our approach to the complaints we deal with, to help resolve complaints at an early stage.

Financial businesses can also contact our Business Support Hub to talk informally about a complaint you’ve received.