Mis-sold endowments: how to claimComplaint handlers

Since the mis-sold endowment scandal first hit the headlines, over 50 firms have sprung up offering to process your complaint and win you compensation.

Look out for high fees

The problem with complaint handlers is that they can charge hefty fees without really improving your chances of success. Our research from 2006 uncovered one firm charging as much as 50% of the amount its customers got back from lenders.

The Financial Ombudsman Service has confirmed that using a complaints handler doesn’t give you any more chance of success than if you took the DIY option. It’s easier than you think to make a claim yourself and it's free. You can use the letter generator on the next page to help make your claim.

Checking the regulators

Complaints handlers are now regulated and you can check whether any firm you come across is properly authorised by going to www.claimsregulation.gov.uk.

Don't forget, these firms charge for their service and this will eat into the payout from any successful claim you make. Be careful about upfront fees – we wouldn't recommend using a firm that charges more than £100 as an upfront administration fee.

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