the Financial Ombudsman Service and Black African and Caribbean consumers
The ombudsman has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the ombudsman service among Black African and Caribbean consumers. Research over the last year suggests that these consumers are only half as likely to know about the ombudsman as consumers from other ethnic groups.
Until recently, research had showed that Asian consumers had least awareness of the ombudsman. But following our work with the Asian community there has been a two-fold increase in the proportion of Asian consumers now using the ombudsman.
our work with specialist media
- BHM magazine
interview with ombudsman Juliana Campbell [opens in PDF format] in the official guide to Black History Month – talking about the role of the ombudsman service and how consumers should feel confident in getting their voice heard - BME women in the mainstream
interview with ombudsman Juliana Campbell [opens in PDF format] in a booklet compiled by PROUD (People from Diverse Racial Origins Uniting the Department) for the Ministry of Justice - the Voice
a feature on knowing your rights – including the right to bring a complaint to the ombudsman - Network News (the networking forum for black and minority ethnic graduates and young professionals)
features on carnivals, melas and the ombudsman [opens in PDF format] and holiday time [opens in PDF format]
out and about
During the year, the ombudsman service has taken part in community events across the UK including:
- the Coventry Caribbean Festival
- Black History Month celebrations taking place on London's South Bank this autumn, including the Black History Festival
- a multi-cultural forum hosted by the ombudsman for local community and faith leaders
If you would like the ombudsman to take part in an event you are organising, please email us at liasion.team@financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
If you've fallen out with your bank, insurance company or finance firm, the ombudsman's tips on complaining may help to make sure your complaint is taken seriously.
The ombudsman service was set up by law as a free service for consumers. It looks at a wide-range of financial disputes, from store-cards and stock-broking to insurance and mortgages.