Claims Management Firms Must Be Authorised by the FCA
Since April 2019, a business that finds, advises on or handles claims for consumers in Great Britain has needed FCA authorisation. The rule covers the claims people are most often approached about, including mis-sold financial products, personal injury and housing disrepair.
The FCA Register lists each firm's permissions by type of claim. A firm offering to handle a housing disrepair claim should hold permission for that kind of claim, and the Register says so in plain terms.
The Firm on the Register Must Be the Firm Contacting You
Fraudsters copy the names of genuine claims firms in the same way they copy investment firms. In October 2026 the FCA warned that the website claimmydisrepair.co.uk was being used to pose as Fountain Finances Limited, an authorised firm with permission for housing disrepair claims.
Compare the website, email address and telephone number you were given with the details on the firm's Register entry. If anything differs, contact the firm using the details on the Register and ask whether the approach came from them.
Your Personal Details Are at Risk Before Any Money Is
A claim usually begins with a form asking for your name, address, contact details and the circumstances of the claim. A copied website can collect all of that without ever asking for a payment, so the time to check the firm is before you fill in the form.
You Have 14 Days to Change Your Mind
An FCA-authorised claims firm must give you a 14-day cooling-off period, during which you can cancel the agreement without being charged. The firm should also explain how its fee is worked out before you sign anything.
For claims about financial products, the FCA caps the fee a claims firm can take from any compensation, and the maximum depends on the amount awarded.
Many Claims Can Be Made Without a Claims Firm
The FCA points out that most claims about financial products can be made directly to the firm concerned, and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service, at no cost. Using a claims firm is a choice you are free to make, and you are never obliged to use one.
If you are unhappy with the service of an authorised claims management firm, you can complain to the firm first and then to the Claims Management Ombudsman.
How MetaAshes Examines This
A MetaAshes assessment cross-references a firm's details against the official record in a single pass. For this question, the most relevant checks include:
- Authorisation status
- Scope of regulatory permissions
- Official website on record
- Official telephone number on record
- Email domain consistency
- Domain registration age
- FCA Warning List screening
- Company existence and identity
- Payee name verification
Frequently Asked
Do claims management companies need to be regulated?
Yes. Since April 2019, claims management firms in Great Britain have needed FCA authorisation, and their permissions are shown on the FCA Register.
Can I cancel an agreement with a claims management company?
An FCA-authorised claims firm must give you a 14-day cooling-off period, during which you can cancel without being charged.
How do I report a fake claims firm?
Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 or use the contact form on its website. If you have paid money, contact your bank straight away.
This guide is provided for general information and does not constitute financial or legal advice.