Other referees – and how they perform

FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SERVICE

WHAT IT COVERS It is the port of call for disgruntled customers of financial institutions, such as banks, building societies and insurers.

HOW IT CAN HELP It sided with customers in more than half of cases brought in the year to March 2015. Some 62 per cent of Payment Protection Insurance complaints were upheld in customers’ favour. This continues to be a big issue and has so far cost banks £26billion in compensation payouts. One in three car and home insurance complaints were upheld.

HOW TO GET HOLD OF IT Visit financialombudsman.org.uk or call 0800 0234567.

OMBUDSMAN SERVICES

WHAT IT COVERS It principally serves consumers with gripes about utility providers.

HOW IT CAN HELP It resolved 62,806 complaints in the year to the end of March 2015. Most were about energy suppliers, with a staggering 96 per cent requiring some sort of action, whether it be an apology or refund. The most common financial award was £100.

HOW TO GET HOLD OF IT Visit ombudsmanservices.org or call 0330 440 followed by 1624 (energy) or 1614 (TV, phone and broadband).

THE PROPERTY OMBUDSMAN

WHAT IT COVERS It deals with complaints against property management companies and letting and estate agents.

HOW IT CAN HELP It resolved 80 per cent of complaints received in the year to the end of March 2015. The average award was £400.

HOW TO GET HOLD OF IT Visit tpos.co.uk

or call 01722 333306. To find the right referee visit the Ombudsman Association at ombudsmanassociation.org or call Citizens Advice on 03454 040506. To find out more about the Consumer Ombudsman, visit consumer-ombudsman.org.