How to complain
The whole process, start to finish — and then the page for exactly where you are. Free, checked against the rules, written to be used.
Start hereHow to complain, and what to do when they say no
The four steps, the two deadlines that decide everything, and the exception for payments and scams. If you read one page, read this one.
Where are you up to?
I haven’t complained yet
How to write a complaint letter that gets taken seriously — with a template and the exact sentences that trigger your rights.
They’ve said no — or lowballed you
Whether that letter counts as a final response, what to do with a poor offer, and when the six-month clock starts.
I’ve heard nothing
The waiting periods that turn silence into grounds, and how to escalate when they never reply.
The schemes, one page each
The Financial Ombudsman
Banks, insurers, lenders, cards, investments. Coverage, both clocks, what it can award, and how to refer.
The Energy Ombudsman
Gas, electricity and heat networks. Eight weeks or a deadlock letter, then twelve months to refer — free, awards to £10,000.
Not sure which scheme covers you?
Two questions and we’ll route you — including when no ombudsman exists at all. More scheme pages are on the way.
Where things stand
The slow-moving stories — redress schemes, reforms, ombudsmen being built. “Checked” is the date we last verified each one against the source, and each card links to the page that explains it.