{"id":22451,"date":"2026-01-24T06:58:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T06:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/?page_id=22451"},"modified":"2026-01-24T06:58:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T06:58:22","slug":"financial-complaints-hit-record-high-since-ppi-scandal-ombudsman-reveals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/?page_id=22451","title":{"rendered":"Financial Complaints Hit Record High Since PPI Scandal, Ombudsman Reveals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"offcanvas\">\n<div class=\"offcanvas-header cs-bg-navbar-dark\">\n<nav class=\"navbar navbar-offcanvas\">\n<h2><strong>Financial Complaints Soar to Post-PPI Scandal Highs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The\u00a0<strong>Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)<\/strong>\u00a0has reported a\u00a0<strong>54% surge<\/strong>\u00a0in complaints, reaching\u00a0<strong>305,726<\/strong>\u00a0in 2024-25\u2014the highest level since the\u00a0<strong>PPI scandal<\/strong>\u00a0peak in 2018-19.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Findings from the FOS Report<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">\u2714\u00a0<strong>305,726 total complaints<\/strong>\u00a0(April 2024\u2013March 2025) \u2013\u00a0<strong>Highest since PPI crisis<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2714\u00a0<strong>Fraud &amp; scam complaints hit record high<\/strong>\u00a0(35,416, up 28% year-on-year)<br \/>\n\u2714\u00a0<strong>Motor finance complaints skyrocket<\/strong>\u00a0(73,328 vs. 12,604 last year)<br \/>\n\u2714\u00a0<strong>Irresponsible lending grievances double<\/strong>\u00a0(71,685 vs. 33,221)<br \/>\n\u2714\u00a0<strong>Only 34% of complaints upheld<\/strong>\u00a0(down from 37% last year)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why Are Complaints Rising?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">\ud83d\udd39\u00a0<strong>Digital banking risks<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 More scams and fraud due to online transactions<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39\u00a0<strong>Cost-of-living pressures<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 More disputes over unaffordable lending<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39\u00a0<strong>Motor finance scrutiny<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Spike in commission-related complaints<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39\u00a0<strong>Professional representatives driving cases<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 50% of complaints came from claims firms<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Most Complained-About Financial Products<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">1\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0<strong>Motor hire purchase<\/strong>\u00a0(Highest disputes)<br \/>\n2\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0<strong>Credit cards<\/strong><br \/>\n3\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0<strong>Current accounts<\/strong><br \/>\n4\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0<strong>Car\/motorcycle insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>What the Ombudsman Says<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;New financial products, digitalisation, and rising fraud mean we\u2019re seeing more complex cases. We\u2019re working with the FCA and Treasury to ensure the system is fit for the future.&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\n<strong>\u2013 James Dipple-Johnstone, Interim Chief Ombudsman<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3><strong>How Effective Is the Ombudsman?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">\u2705\u00a0<strong>34% complaint uphold rate<\/strong>\u00a0(Down from 37% last year)<br \/>\n\u2705\u00a0<strong>Better success for direct complaints<\/strong>\u00a0(37% upheld vs. 27% via claims firms)<br \/>\n\u2705\u00a0<strong>Free for consumers<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 No cost to escalate a complaint<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>What Should Consumers Do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">\ud83d\udd0e\u00a0<strong>Check eligibility<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Complaints must first go to the financial provider<br \/>\n\ud83d\udcdd\u00a0<strong>Gather evidence<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Bank statements, emails, contracts<br \/>\n\u23f3\u00a0<strong>Escalate within 6 months<\/strong>\u00a0if unresolved<br \/>\n\ud83c\udd93\u00a0<strong>Use the free FOS service<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Avoid paid claims firms<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"offcanvas-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"offcanvas-inner\">\n<div class=\"widget block-5 widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"widget block-6 widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"page\" class=\"site\">\n<div class=\"site-inner\">\n<div class=\"site-content sidebar-enabled sidebar-right post-sidebar-disabled\">\n<div class=\"cs-container\">\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"main-content\">\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\"><main id=\"main\" class=\"site-main\"><\/p>\n<article id=\"post-40255\" class=\"entry post-40255 page type-page status-publish\">\n<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-40241\" src=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-759x1024.jpg 759w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-768x1036.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-800x1079.jpg 800w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1457\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-40241\" src=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-759x1024.jpg 759w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-768x1036.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2025-01-05-11-02-41-74-7-800x1079.jpg 800w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1457\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1764870157670-0\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22861800949\/33484766672_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Smart technology is no longer something people actively think about. It is quietly blending into daily routines through phones, home devices, and digital services that work in the background.<br \/>\nMany smart devices now learn user habits over time. From adjusting screen brightness to managing energy use at home, technology is becoming more intuitive and less demanding.<br \/>\nThis shift helps reduce digital stress. Instead of constant control, users can rely on systems that respond automatically to their needs.<br \/>\nAnother benefit is efficiency. Smart devices communicate with each other, creating smoother workflows both at home and at work.<br \/>\nAs technology becomes less visible, its real value grows\u2014supporting daily life without interruption.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-40243\" src=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7.png 2048w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-300x54.png 300w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-1024x185.png 1024w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-768x138.png 768w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-1536x277.png 1536w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-800x144.png 800w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-1160x209.png 1160w\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"369\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-40243\" src=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7.png 2048w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-300x54.png 300w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-1024x185.png 1024w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-768x138.png 768w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-1536x277.png 1536w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-800x144.png 800w, https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5555-2048x369-7-1160x209.png 1160w\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"369\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3\">\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1881992\" data-uid=\"0ad82\">\n<div id=\"mgw1881992_0ad82\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mgbox\" data-template-type=\"container\">\n<div class=\"mgheader\" data-template-type=\"header\" data-template-placed=\"before\">\n<div class=\"mg_addad1881992 mglogo\" data-template-macros=\"logo,adchoices\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"d0c2d4e4-f8f1-11f0-8965-d404e6c03750\" class=\"mgline teaser-24321814 type-w\" data-i=\"AnpBX9QWc0c1Zko_egTRytj6cteYSqCEjpZ2IyVYST5W7fCdWaZGGtKRQwumtODrCwQAsgax133IVfhWtRGhhrza8Se6YjM3ETzRVu0aJCedqc70_hjk4EUL825Ls95U\" data-observing-start=\"0\" data-observing-time=\"0\">\n<div class=\"image-with-text\">\n<div class=\"mcimg\">\n<div class=\"image-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mcimg\" src=\"https:\/\/s-img.mgid.com\/g\/24321814\/765x430\/-\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbC5pbWdob3N0cy5jb20vaW1naC9pbWFnZS9mZXRjaC9hcl8xNjo5LGNfZmlsbCxlX3NoYXJwZW46MTAwLGZfanBnLGdfZmFjZXM6YXV0byxxX2F1dG86Z29vZCx3XzEwMjAvaHR0cHM6Ly9pbWdob3N0cy5jb20vdC8yMDI1LTA4LzkzMTY5My8yNTA5NmU5ZTg4YjU3ZmJkOTI4YmFmZjNmNTQ1M2Y5My5qcGc.webp?v=1769237792-Caq5YwvYLTDzzAL5AxrrH1MvD9Oc9Y0IFiryafPwnxk\" alt=\"\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" crossorigin=\"\" data-template-macros=\"image\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s-img.mgid.com\/g\/24321814\/765x430\/-\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbC5pbWdob3N0cy5jb20vaW1naC9pbWFnZS9mZXRjaC9hcl8xNjo5LGNfZmlsbCxlX3NoYXJwZW46MTAwLGZfanBnLGdfZmFjZXM6YXV0byxxX2F1dG86Z29vZCx3XzEwMjAvaHR0cHM6Ly9pbWdob3N0cy5jb20vdC8yMDI1LTA4LzkzMTY5My8yNTA5NmU5ZTg4YjU3ZmJkOTI4YmFmZjNmNTQ1M2Y5My5qcGc.webp?v=1769237792-Caq5YwvYLTDzzAL5AxrrH1MvD9Oc9Y0IFiryafPwnxk\" data-i=\"24321814\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-elements\">\n<div class=\"text_on_hover\">\n<div class=\"mglbtn\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fma.thet.818568%2Fvideos%2F2182283245652790%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=267&amp;t=0\" width=\"267\" height=\"591\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\">\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1881996\" data-uid=\"03ff0\">\n<div id=\"mgw1881996_03ff0\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mgbox\" data-template-type=\"container\">\n<div id=\"d0c3ad3b-f8f1-11f0-8965-d404e6c03750\" class=\"mgline teaser-24321904 type-w\" data-i=\"AnpBX9QWc0c1Zko_egTRyi7DYgX-7je5iQC8KA2hdZnBVMOdDdboB9K1VrVYuYcACwQAsgax133IVfhWtRGhhrza8Se6YjM3ETzRVu0aJCfKt2_0-jTU6m5bWjCMgh24\" data-observing-start=\"0\" data-observing-time=\"0\">\n<div class=\"image-with-text\">\n<div class=\"text-elements\">\n<div class=\"text_on_hover\">\n<div class=\"mgtobottom\">\n<div class=\"mcdomain\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1206356748289492%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=267&amp;t=0\" width=\"267\" height=\"591\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-5\">\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1881999\" data-uid=\"132ea\">\n<div id=\"mgw1881999_132ea\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mgbox\" data-template-type=\"container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Financial Complaints Soar to Post-PPI Scandal Highs The\u00a0Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)\u00a0has reported a\u00a054% surge\u00a0in complaints, reaching\u00a0305,726\u00a0in 2024-25\u2014the highest level since &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22226,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_keywords":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-22451","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22451"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22452,"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22451\/revisions\/22452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotayamedia.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}