The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) saw a slight increase in new cases in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, driven largely by an influx of complaints linked to fraud and scams.
New data shows the ombudsman received 53,600 complaints between April and June 2026, which marks a modest rise of 600 cases compared to the previous quarter, but remains significantly lower than the 68,000 complaints recorded in the same period last year – a figure that was heavily inflated by a wave of motor finance commission disputes.
Current accounts were the most complained-about financial product during the quarter, generating 8,900 cases. This represents an increase from the 8,600 cases seen in the previous quarter and 7,800 in Q1 of last year, with fraud and scams remaining the primary drivers.
In a positive trend, the proportion of complaints brought forward by claims managers has plummeted.
Representatives including claims management companies, lawyers, and family members accounted for just 10% of cases referred to the FOS in Q1, a dramatic fall from 45% in the same period last year, while claims managers, who take a cut of any redress awarded, accounted for just 3% (1,800) of the total caseload.
The FOS noted this continues a recent trend of more consumers bringing cases directly to the free service, allowing them to keep 100% of their awarded compensation
