Guides › Savings and Investments › Unsuitable Investment Advice or Platform Problems
Unsuitable Investment Advice or Platform Problems
You can complain if you were advised into an investment that was not right for you, misled about a product, overcharged, or lost money through administrative errors or problems with transfers or share-dealing platforms. Complain to the firm first, then to the free Financial Ombudsman Service.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Investment Complaints
What You Can Complain About
Being advised to make an investment that was not right for you; being misled or misinformed; losing money through administrative errors; being overcharged; and stocks and shares transactions, transfers between firms, share-dealing platforms or charges. If the Ombudsman finds unfair treatment, it tells the business to put you back where you would be and may award for distress. source
Complaining
6 Months to Go to the Ombudsman
You have 6 months from the date on the final response to refer your complaint to the Ombudsman. After that it usually cannot help, unless exceptional circumstances (such as serious ill health or bereavement) stopped you, the insurer did not send a valid final response, or the insurer agrees. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 8 weeksFirm answers your complaintThen the Financial Ombudsman Service
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Gather your advice letters, suitability report and statements.
Step 2 of 5
Write to the firm saying what went wrong and what loss it caused.
Step 3 of 5
Wait 8 weeks or for a final response.
Step 4 of 5
Go to the Financial Ombudsman within 6 months of the final response.
Step 5 of 5
If the firm has failed, check the FSCS.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
The Firm's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Free, after 8 weeks or a final response.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
A fall in value alone is not usually grounds for complaint: focus on advice, information or errors.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/complaints-can-help/investments Checked 13 October 2026
- financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/complaints-can-help/expect/time-limits Checked 12 October 2026