Frequently Asked Questions
Take Control Of Your
Financial Future
Taking action after financial loss — whether due to unsuitable advice, a mis-sold product, or fraud — can feel overwhelming. At Tremont Legal, we handle both financial mis-selling and scam-related claims and are committed to guiding you clearly through your options.
Our team is available to answer your questions and explain the process, so you understand where you stand and what steps may be available.
The information below is general in nature and not legal advice. If you are unsure whether you may have a claim, we encourage you to contact us directly.
The process typically begins with an initial assessment of your circumstances. If there are reasonable grounds to proceed, we will issue your agreement and begin gathering relevant documentation and evidence.
Once sufficient information has been obtained, the claim is formally submitted to the appropriate firm, financial institution, or responsible party. If necessary, cases may be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service or other relevant bodies.
We keep you updated throughout and explain each stage clearly.
A financial mis-selling claim arises where advice or a financial product may have been unsuitable for your circumstances. This can include pension transfers, investment products, SIPPs, annuities, equity release arrangements, and other regulated financial advice.
Each case depends on its individual facts, including the advice given, your financial objectives at the time, and whether regulatory standards were met.
A scam or bank liability claim may arise where funds were lost through fraud — such as impersonation scams, investment scams, romance fraud, invoice fraud, or other deceptive activity — and there may be questions about whether appropriate fraud prevention or reimbursement standards were followed.
In some cases, financial institutions may have obligations under regulatory or reimbursement frameworks. We assess whether those obligations may apply in your situation.
Timeframes vary depending on the type and complexity of the claim.
Some scam and bank liability claims may be resolved within a few months, particularly where evidence is clear and liability is accepted early.
Financial mis-selling cases — particularly those involving historic pension transfers or complex investment arrangements — can take significantly longer, especially if escalation to the Financial Ombudsman Service is required.
We provide realistic expectations at the outset and keep you informed throughout the process.
If the firm responsible for your loss is no longer trading, there may still be options available.
In financial mis-selling cases, claims may be considered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), subject to eligibility and compensation limits.
Each case depends on its circumstances, and we can advise on whether alternative routes to recovery may apply.
Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the case and the organisation involved. While some claims may be resolved within a few months, more complex matters — particularly historic financial advice or pension-related cases — can take significantly longer. We provide clear expectations from the outset and keep you informed throughout the process.
Tremont Legal provides a free initial assessment to determine whether you may have grounds for a financial mis-selling or scam-related claim.
Tremont Legal is a trading style of Redhawk Legal Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 830482).
Claims are managed within our regulated structure. Depending on the nature and complexity of your case, your claim may be handled directly or referred to an appropriately authorised specialist firm.
Most claims are conducted on a No Win, No Fee* basis. This means you will only pay a success fee if your claim is successful and compensation is recovered.
If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay a success fee.
In certain circumstances, a termination fee may apply if you choose to end your agreement early. Full details are provided in your client agreement before you decide to proceed.
Redhawk Legal Ltd may receive an introductory fee for referring cases within its regulated network. This fee is not deducted from your compensation.
Yes. You are entitled to pursue a complaint or claim directly with a firm or through the Financial Ombudsman Service without using a claims management company.
Some clients choose to instruct us because they prefer professional assistance with gathering documentation, assessing regulatory standards, and managing correspondence throughout what can be a complex process.
The decision is entirely yours, and we encourage you to choose the option you are most comfortable with.
If you have previously made a complaint or claim, this does not automatically prevent further action.
In some circumstances, new information, regulatory developments, or procedural issues may justify revisiting a matter. However, each situation must be reviewed individually.
We can assess whether there may be any remaining avenues available.
Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams involve situations where individuals are deceived into transferring funds to fraudsters.
Depending on the timing of the transaction and the circumstances involved, financial institutions may have obligations under regulatory standards or reimbursement frameworks.
We assess whether those standards were properly followed and whether a claim may be appropriate.
We assess certain cases involving cryptocurrency-related investment fraud or misrepresentation.
Because these matters can involve cross-border platforms and unregulated entities, recovery options may vary significantly depending on the facts.
If you are unsure whether your situation may qualify, we encourage you to contact us for an initial discussion.
Glossary of Terms
The glossary of terms offers brief explanations of key industry terminology to help you better understand your financial situation. We’ve included some of the most common terms, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding your potential financial claim.
Defined Benefit Pension
A workplace pension scheme that provides a guaranteed level of retirement income, typically based on salary and length of service. The employer bears the investment risk and funding responsibility for the scheme.
Defined Contribution Plans
A pension arrangement where contributions are invested on behalf of the member, and retirement benefits depend on investment performance. The individual bears the investment risk and outcome.
A personal pension that allows wider investment flexibility than standard arrangements. SIPPs can provide greater control but may expose investors to higher-risk or unregulated investment opportunities.
SIPP -
Pension
SSAS -
pension
A company pension scheme typically established for directors or senior employees, offering enhanced investment control alongside increased governance responsibilities and regulatory obligations.
Pension
Transfer
The movement of pension benefits from one scheme to another. Transfers from Defined Benefit schemes require regulated advice due to the potential loss of safeguarded guarantees.
Unregulated
Investment
An investment not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, often involving speculative or overseas assets and carrying elevated financial and regulatory risk.
Investment
Scam
A fraudulent scheme designed to persuade individuals to invest funds under false representations, frequently promising unrealistic or guaranteed financial returns.
APP
Scam
A fraud in which a victim is manipulated into transferring funds directly to criminals, often through impersonation of trusted institutions or service providers.
Clone
Firm
A fraudulent entity that impersonates a legitimate FCA-authorised firm to gain credibility and mislead individuals into transferring funds.
Crypto Asset
Scam
Fraud involving digital assets or online trading platforms that are misleading, cloned, or entirely fictitious, resulting in financial loss.
Recovery
Room Scam
A secondary fraud targeting previous victims of scams, typically offering recovery services in exchange for upfront payments.
Bank
Liability
The potential responsibility of a financial institution to reimburse losses where regulatory standards, fraud prevention measures or payment controls may not have been properly followed.
FCA
The UK regulator responsible for overseeing authorised financial services firms, protecting consumers and maintaining market integrity through supervision and enforcement.
FSCS
A statutory compensation scheme that may provide redress where an authorised financial firm has failed and is unable to meet valid claims.
FOS
An independent body that resolves disputes between consumers and financial businesses where complaints cannot be settled directly.
IFA
A regulated adviser authorised to provide impartial financial advice and recommend suitable products from across the market.
Ombudsman Referral
The formal escalation of a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service when resolution cannot be achieved directly with the firm concerned.
Time Bar
A regulatory or statutory deadline after which a complaint may no longer be eligible for investigation or compensation.
