Financial advisor - who to complain to

AlisonHarrison

I want to make a complaint against in IFA firm for improper conduct.
Is it the FOS who handle complaints against IFAs?

dunstonh

You cant complain to the FOS without first complaining to the IFA firm first. You have to give the firm a chance to resolve the complaint first. Only if you are deadlocked or dont get a response you deem suitable can you then take it to the FOS. If you go to the FOS first,all they will do is forward your complaint on to the IFA firm.

The FOS consider advice/product complaints or incorrect servicing issues that are within their remit. Your comment suggests it may be something different which may not be within their remit

lordhaldon

Write to the Complaints or Compliance manager at the firm first. FOS, as dunstonh states, will not listen to you until you have exhausted the process with the firm. The firm have a set guidelines that they need to adhere to such as the amount of days they take to respond to your complaint - and there are several stages and timelines. At some stage in their communication with you, they should inform you of your rights in terms of if you are not happy with their "judgement" who to escalate the issue to. You may be able to get some more help/knowledge from https://www.fsa.gov.uk I hope this helps.