Car finance compensation email scam

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This one says you might be owed money on past car finance. Official-sounding wording, “FCA AUTHORISED — NO WIN NO FEE,” a deadline approaching, and a big “Check If You Can Claim” button.

It is not from the Financial Conduct Authority (fca). It is not from your lender. It is a compensation-style scam — helpful on the surface, harvest underneath. Real motor-finance complaints follow your agreement; this follows a mailing list.

What it claimed

“Did your car finance cost you more than it should?”
“You could be owed money” — check eligibility free, no win no fee
“IMPORTANT UPDATE — FCA CLAIMS DEADLINE APPROACHING”
Car picture, bold colours, legal-sounding phrases

Why it is bait

Authority borrowed — “FCA AUTHORISED” to look legitimate; the fca did not send this
Money hook — you have been overcharged, money is waiting
Fake deadline — claims window “approaching”
No real detail — no lender name, agreement number, or dates tied to you
Generic greeting — not addressed to you by name
Button not bank — “Check if you can claim” instead of your lender’s own site

Click through and you get a fake eligibility form — name, address, date of birth, phone, car and finance history. Some versions push hidden fees, subscription traps, aggressive marketing, or ask for bank details, driving licence, or National Insurance number “to verify your claim.” Your data gets sold on. None of it connects to the fca or your lender.

Stop. Pause. Ask three questions.

Stop!
Pause!

Before you tap “Check If You Can Claim”:

Is it urgent?
Do you know who it is from?
Is it really from who it is from?

A deadline and “you could be owed money” create urgency without proof. Real claims processes know your lender and agreement — this knows nothing specific about you. Not sure? Likely a catch. Do not click. Do not fill the form.

What to do instead

Delete the email. Block the sender.
If you think you have a genuine car-finance complaint, contact your lender using details from your agreement or their official website — a route you choose, not a link in the message.
Check fca.org.uk yourself for official guidance on motor finance complaints.

Already shared details? Change your email password, turn on multi-factor authentication (mfa), watch for odd calls and texts, and tell your bank if payment information went in. More steps: what to do after a miss.

A self-check

Have you ever had car finance? Most adults have. That is why this email works — it casts a wide net and hopes excitement beats checking. Next “you could be owed money” message: would you look for your agreement number first, or tap the button because the deadline says so?