A claims management company supplying law firms with car finance claims has been ordered to stop using unauthorised clips of Martin Lewis in its advertisements.
The Financial Conduct Authority said today that Conclusive Financial Ltd should take down any ads showing edited clips of Lewis, the TV personality and founder of the Money Saving Expert website. Conclusive, which trades as PCP Refunds, was also banned from repeating claims that consumers would receive £1,846 on average for motor finance claims, with no explanation how it reached this figure.
The latest clampdown comes amid an ongoing battle by the FCA to ensure consumers access its own compensation scheme rather than rely on claims management companies or law firms. The scheme pledges that people mis-sold motor finance can expect to receive around £830 on average for each agreement they took.
The FCA has joined forces with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to drive home the message that consumers should know what could be deducted from their compensation if they use a lawyer. The regulators also want to ensure that members of the public know there are still risks even if firms are promising that cases will be run on a no win, no fee basis.
The FCA said Conclusive had promoted no win, no fee services on its websites without a proper explanation of the fees, including any exit fees, that clients could be charged. The CMC had also not told consumers they could make claims for free to their lender or to the Financial Ombudsman Service without the need for a lawyer to be involved.
Alison Walters, director of consumer finance at the FCA, said: 'Consumers should be wary of adverts that overpromise or give the impression they are endorsed by the FCA or well-known individuals. We will take swift action where rules are being broken. Our scheme is free and people don’t have to use a CMC or law firm. If they do, it’s important that they can trust them.'
Conclusive has now removed any misleading or unauthorised adverts and has updated its website to comply with the regulator’s rules.
The FCA advised any Conclusive customers who believe they have been misled by its advertising to complain directly to the company. If they have signed up with a law firm, they should complain to that firm and the legal ombudsman if they are still unsatisfied.
Conclusive states on its website that it does not charge consumers a fee, but does receive a referral fee from the solicitors it recommends. These solicitors will charge between 18% and 36% of clients’ compensation.
No comments yet