Car Finance Claim Scams: How to Spot the Warning Signs and Claim for Free
If a message says you could be owed thousands, take ten minutes before you hand over your details.
Do not reply to the advert yet.
The FCA says it had 170 misleading car finance claims adverts removed or amended in June 2026 alone. The official route to complain to your lender is free. Start with the lender, not the advert.
You are sorting the evening post when a text lands: “Your old PCP could be worth thousands. Check in 60 seconds.” It looks plausible. You did have car finance. With work, the mortgage and two children, you cannot remember the lender, let alone the agreement date.
That uncertainty is exactly why these messages work. You are allowed to slow down. Check the firm, keep control of your data and use the lender complaint route without paying a claims company.
The short answer: you do not need a claims company
- Do not click through from an unexpected advert, call, email or text.
- Do not sign up with several firms. You could face several fees.
- Find your lender using your agreement, bank statements, credit file or the FCA's official lender list.
- Complain directly to the lender for free.
- Before sharing information with any firm, check its authorisation and contact details independently.
There is one important timing point. The FCA's motor finance redress scheme has been legally challenged, and parts of it are suspended. The case is due to be heard in December 2026 or February 2027. Until the legal process ends, lenders do not need to calculate or pay compensation under the scheme. No advert can honestly guarantee your result, payment date or amount.
Why the regulators are warning people now
| What regulators reported | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| 170 adverts removed or amended in June | A professional advert is not proof that it is fair or authorised. |
| 1,200 adverts addressed since January 2024 | This is a sustained pattern, not one rogue campaign. |
| 12 million nuisance-contact complaints since September 2025 | Unexpected calls, texts and emails are part of the problem. |
| 8 FCA alerts in June | Check the current warning list before dealing with a firm. |
| Fees can reach 36% including VAT | A £1,000 award could leave up to £360 in fees. |
Four regulators are involved. The FCA covers financial conduct, authorisation and claims-management activity. The Advertising Standards Authority examines adverts. The Solicitors Regulation Authority covers solicitors and law firms. The Information Commissioner's Office deals with nuisance marketing and use of personal data.
Seven signs a car finance claims advert deserves a pause
- It looks like an ordinary social post. The FCA found adverts disguised as consumer recommendations.
- It implies FCA approval. Mentioning the FCA scheme does not mean the FCA approved the advert or firm.
- It hides the free route. You can complain directly to the lender without a claims company.
- It promises a fixed or large payout. Eligibility and compensation vary. A result cannot be guaranteed.
- It promotes a “free checker”. The check may be free while the eventual service carries a fee.
- It demands an immediate decision. FCA-authorised claims companies must not use high-pressure selling.
- It asks for bank-login details. Never share PINs or passwords. The FCA will never ask you to transfer money to it.
How to check whether the firm is genuine
Use the regulator's record, not the advert
- Search the FCA Firm Checker and confirm the firm has permission for this service.
- If it is a law firm, check the SRA Register or the relevant legal regulator.
- Compare the website, email and telephone number with the regulator's record.
- Search the live FCA Warning List for the name and trading names.
- Save a screenshot showing the advert, sender, date and promises.
A familiar logo or credible-looking address is not enough. A clone firm can copy the identity of a genuine business while replacing its contact details. Open the regulator's page yourself and contact the firm through the details shown there.
How to complain about car finance for free
1. Find the lender
Check the finance agreement, old bank statements, the dealer or your credit file. Note the lender, agreement type and approximate start date.
2. Use the FCA's official lender list
Open the FCA lender list. Use the verified complaint form, letter or email listed for your lender.
3. Keep the record
Save the complaint, date sent, acknowledgement and reference number. If the lender later makes a decision, read the response deadline carefully. The Financial Ombudsman Service is free for eligible complaints.
The FCA says agreements used to finance a car, motorbike, van or campervan between 06/04/2007 and 01/11/2024 may fall within the scheme, but exclusions apply and the current scheme position can change. Use the live FCA guidance rather than an advert's eligibility promise.
What if you have already signed up?
- Check the contract today. Look for the fee illustration, cancellation terms and the exact firm you appointed. FCA-authorised claims companies must offer a 14-day cooling-off period.
- Do not appoint another firm. Multiple representatives can mean several fees and delays.
- Ask for an itemised fee breakdown. Charges should match work actually completed. Vague labels such as “case progression” are not an explanation.
- Complain if you were misled or signed up without consent. The FCA provides a template letter. If the firm does not resolve it, the next route depends on whether it is a claims company or law firm.
- Report nuisance messages. Forward suspected spam texts to 7726 and report unlawful marketing concerns to the ICO.
Turn the message into a financial record
The message is vague. Your records are not. Put the lender name, payment description, agreement dates, advert screenshot and complaint reference together before you take the next step.
Delphina is a personal financial clarity platform. It can help you see the financial record you already have in the context of your wider money picture. It does not check claim eligibility, manage a claim or decide what compensation you may receive. If a car-finance payment is not clear in your connected history, use your statements, agreement or credit file instead.
Your one action today
Do not reply to the advert. Find your lender from your own records, then open the FCA's official lender list and send the complaint directly for free.
Use the FCA's free lender routeFrequently asked questions
Can I make a car finance claim for free?
Yes. The FCA says you can complain directly to your lender for free. Its car finance claims page includes a live lender list, verified contact details and complaint routes.
How do I know if a car finance claims company is genuine?
Search the FCA Firm Checker and confirm the firm has permission for the service it is offering. If it is a law firm, check the relevant legal regulator too. Compare the phone number and website with the regulator record rather than trusting the advert.
How much do car finance claims companies charge?
The FCA says using a claims management company or law firm may mean paying more than 30% of compensation. Its current car finance guidance says fees can reach 36% including VAT.
What should I do with an unexpected car finance claims text or call?
Do not share personal or bank-login details. Save the message, check the firm independently and forward suspected spam texts to 7726. You can report concerns about unlawful marketing to the ICO.
Related Delphina guides
Sources
- FCA joint taskforce update (16/07/2026)
- FCA car finance claims guidance (last updated 21/07/2026)
- FCA guidance on claims management companies (last updated 12/05/2026)
- Solicitors Regulation Authority register
- Information Commissioner's Office
FCA guidance, the scheme position and warning lists can change. Check the live FCA pages before acting. Delphina does not check eligibility or manage car finance claims.