Is a cold call offering to help me claim compensation for mis-sold products or services legitimate?
Treat with caution. While genuine claims management companies exist, the cold call format is heavily exploited for fee fraud and data harvesting.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Claims management cold calls target people who may have had mis-sold PPI, car finance, payday loans, investments, or energy products. Legitimate claims are possible through free services, ombudsmen, and regulated claims managers — but cold callers in this space frequently operate without authorisation, charge high upfront fees, harvest personal data, or help file fabricated claims that expose you to legal risk. In the UK cold calling for claims management services is banned. If you think you have a genuine mis-selling claim, contact the relevant ombudsman (Financial Ombudsman Service, Legal Ombudsman, etc.) or seek a regulated no-win-no-fee solicitor through a professional register, not through a cold caller.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call or text about a specific compensation claim type
- Upfront fee required before any claim is assessed
- Company cannot provide a registration number with the relevant regulator
- Claim sounds very easy with guaranteed large payouts
- You are asked for your bank details or policy documents immediately
What to do now
- Do not give personal or financial details to cold callers
- Check whether you have a genuine claim through the official ombudsman service
- Use a regulated no-win-no-fee solicitor or ombudsman service for real claims
- Report cold-calling claims companies to your financial regulator
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim for mis-sold PPI or car finance without using a claims company?
Yes — you can complain directly to the company involved and escalate to the relevant financial ombudsman for free. You do not need a paid claims manager.