information for businesses covered by the ombudsman service
This section answers a number of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) about:
our funding
how we are funded
how is the ombudsman service paid for?
calculating the levy
who decides how much levy an FSA-regulated firm must pay
when the case fee is payable
at what stage do I have to pay the case fee?
free case fees
is it true that some cases are free?
paying if no complaints
why should my business pay anything if no complaints are made about us?
why consumers don't pay
why don't consumers have to pay to bring a complaint to the ombudsman?
paying if a consumer loses
why should I pay a case fee if a consumer complains about me to the ombudsman – and loses?
charging the consumer if they lose
if the ombudsman service doesn't uphold a complaint, can my business charge the consumer for the costs incurred in defending the case?