Financial Ombudsman

[CW1]

Hi,

I sent quite a complicated complaint to an investment company in April. I've had no meaningful response, just 4 weekly "we need more time" emails, last one on 13 September.

 

I contacted the Ombudsman 10 days later & did receive a request, from an individual, for more info, which I sent. Their automated reply email basically says if you don't hear from them in 7 days, they can't help. I've not heard from them since.

Has anyone come across this before ? 

I'll email them again tomorrow (being 14 days since I've heard from them) but, as it stands, I don't know if the individual who contacted me is my "complaint handler" or if, indeed, they can't help. If they can't, where do I go from here ?

I can be patient if need be - I think I have ! It's the not knowing.

[Buenchico]

Try a phone call to 0800 023 4567:
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/contact-us

[CW1]

Yeah, I saw that in the email, Buenchico, thanks. To call

"if you’re experiencing serious financial or health problems"

Guess I'll try emailing again & take it from there. 

[Peter Pedant]

yes - by and large they  are pretty hopeless ( am applealing motor insurance even tho the FAq s say - we dont do much you know ( true they dont)

and 1) keep all your emails and letters

and  2) you have to get a final refusal from the company - that is surprisingly obvious - " we decide 'no, bog off' and you are allowed to refer the matter to the ombudsman...." is  something to look out for

and you may have THEIR ref number keep on using it - - "I have applied for....and heard nothing"

I a on the final phase of this - in by Oct 29th or lose it

put not your faith in regulators

 

 

[CW1]

I have used them before, albeit years ago, once about a mortgage lender who paid my matured endowment to a wrong account I no longer had access to (they were more than happy to take direct debit payments !), & once about an estate agent. Never had any problems then but I had escalated up the hierarchy with those companies, & I did get decision letters. All I'm getting with this investment company -after 6 months & counting - is "we're swamped with complaints, carry on waiting". Nothing constructive whatsoever.

 

I've emailed the Ombudsman today, just asking for reassurance they can do something, & I'll try calling next week if I still don't hear anything, but where do I go if they won't help ? I surely can't be expected to take legal action against this outfit despite the so called "wealth manager" still ignoring the instructions to liquidate a bond I gave him a year ago, when he finally told me in April he'd "get it done" !