Everything about calling Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) from abroad
What FSCS does
FSCS protects customers of financial services firms that have failed. It was set up in 2001 under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and says it is independent of the government and the financial services industry. If your bank, building society or credit union fails, FSCS says you do not need to make a claim: it returns your money automatically, up to its limit of £120,000 per person per firm. If an insurer fails, it tries to arrange cover with another insurer. Claims for insurance, mortgages, pensions, payment protection insurance, investments and debt management go through its online claims service, and FSCS says claiming direct with it is free.
What FSCS cannot help with
FSCS says it is not a bank: a question about a transaction, your account or a card goes to your bank. Its protection does not apply to lending, including car finance, even where the lender has gone out of business. It cannot protect e-money or payment services firms, and for deposits it can only protect money held by UK branches of authorised banks, building societies and credit unions.
If you live abroad
For investments, FSCS says it has no residency requirements for making a claim. Savings held in an EEA branch of a UK firm are not covered: FSCS deposit protection for deposits held in EEA branches of UK firms ended on 31 December 2020, and customers of a local EEA branch of a UK investment firm are, in FSCS's words, probably not covered.
Calling FSCS from abroad
FSCS describes 0800 678 1100 as freephone. For international customers it gives +44 207 741 4100, which it says will incur call charges, or an email through its contact form. Its call centre is UK-based, and the hours are given without a time zone.
What Losali does with this line
Losali is an independent dialler that works in a web browser. Your call travels over the internet and Losali's telecom carrier connects it to 0800 678 1100 in the UK, so the network you are on only carries data. There is no app to install and no UK SIM card to buy. You need a browser, a microphone and a stable connection.
- The name of the failed firm you dealt with.
- What kind of product it is: savings, investment, pension, insurance or other.
- Your account, policy or plan number with that firm, if you have it.
- The hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays.
Other ways in and scam warnings
Most claims go through FSCS's online claims service, which it says tells you straight away whether you are eligible. Its contact form takes questions by email, and FSCS says it generally responds faster that way. Post goes to Financial Services Compensation Scheme, PO Box 300, Mitcheldean GL17 1DY. An online checker shows whether the firm holding your savings is protected. FSCS warns that scammers can use the name of a legitimate firm and sometimes the FSCS logo; if you receive a letter or email you are unsure about, its scams page explains how to tell genuine FSCS contact from fraud.
What kind of number is this?
Freephone 0800 / 0808. Free to call from inside the UK. Losali shows the price before the call starts.