The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is consulting on major changes to its case-fee model. Buried in the detail is a development that could reshape how victims of financial harm choose to seek justice.
The proposed shift means professional representatives—claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms—may face outcome-linked fees and higher charges for cases that go deep into investigation. The message is clear: speculative claims will cost more, and the “polluter pays” principle will apply.
This is not bad in itself—it may weed out frivolous complaints—but it will have side effects. Professional reps will become more selective, focusing on “sure wins” and leaving many complex or borderline cases unsupported. That leaves survivors with two stark options:
- Go it alone and navigate the process without guidance, or
- Pay privately for help, often at a cost they can’t afford.
There is, however, a third way.
The Third Way: Education, Not Intermediation
Under FOS rules, there’s a clear distinction between:
- Professional representation (regulated, fee-charging, subject to the new PR fee rules), and
- Informal, educational support (friends, family, charities, not-for-profits, and consumer groups that help the complainant act on their own behalf).
Get SAFE operates firmly in the second category. We do not act for you. Instead, we give you the tools, knowledge, and structure to act for yourself. You remain the complainant; you retain control; you avoid the PR fees.
Our flagship programme, The Goliathon, turns the tables for survivors:
- Lifetime access to the Citizen Investigator’s Toolkit
- AI-powered templates to structure evidence, correspondence, and timelines
- Investigation training that demystifies regulatory systems
- Step-by-step escalation strategies to keep your case moving
- Safeguarding guidance for those facing harassment or retaliation
This approach does more than help you “win” a case—it helps you understand your rights, your options, and the system you’re working within.
Why This Model Makes More Sense Now
As PRs face stricter economics under the new FOS regime, educational support models like Get SAFE offer three major advantages:
- No PR Fees – You aren’t represented by a professional, so the new charges don’t apply.
- Full Control – You decide your next move, you sign off on all submissions, and you keep the full settlement if awarded.
- Lasting Skills – The process teaches you how to advocate for yourself, which means you’re better prepared for any future disputes.
Beyond the Case: Building Confidence and Community
The FOS process is just one step in a longer recovery journey. Many survivors tell us the real transformation came not just from redress, but from reclaiming their voice and agency. The Goliathon is designed to deliver both.
We see you not as a “case file” but as a citizen investigator in your own right. When you step into that role, you stop being a passive claimant and become an informed advocate for your own cause.
The Future is Education-Led Advocacy
Regulatory changes will keep coming. The organisations that thrive in this new landscape will be those that empower people to stand on their own two feet. That’s why we believe the Goliathon and Get SAFE model is the future: educate first, empower always.
If you’ve been affected by financial harm and want to explore a practical, affordable alternative to PR representation, the Goliathon is ready for you.
Take control. Learn the system. Fight back.
Try the Goliathon Taster
Get a first-hand experience of our approach with the Goliahttps://www.aolp.info/individuals/goliathonthon Taster—a complete training module, AI-powered tools, and practical exercises you can use immediately.
Lifetime access for just £2.99.
👉 Click here to get started today
In solidarity,
About Get SAFE
Get SAFE (Support After Financial Exploitation) was born from a simple truth: too many victims of financial abuse are left to suffer in silence.
We exist for people like Ian—for the ones who did everything right, only to be failed by the systems they trusted. We know that behind every vanished pension, every ignored complaint, and every stonewalled letter is a person—frightened, exhausted, and too often alone.
Get SAFE offers more than sympathy. We offer structure, support, and solidarity.
We provide a voice where there’s been silence, and clarity where there’s been confusion.
We stand beside those who have been exploited, not just to help them recover—but to help them reclaim their story and rebuild their future.
Because financial justice is not a luxury.
It’s a human right.
If you or someone you know has been affected by financial exploitation, we are here.
You are not alone.
Learn more at: Get SAFE (Support After Financial Exploitation).
If you are a fraud survivor or work in financial justice and want to share your views on this issue, feel free to get in touch.
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