PPI deadline only fair if banks tell PPI customers about their right to claim

Citizens Advice responds to the news today that banks and the FSA are discussing a deadline for when all PPI claims must be made.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

"A deadline for mis-sold PPI claims could only be fair if, in exchange, the banks comply with an obligation to contact every customer who was sold PPI to tell them they may be entitled to make a claim.

"For years and years PPI was mis-sold to hundreds of thousands of people who either couldn’t use or didn’t even ask for it in the first place. Consumers are entitled to appropriate compensation and should not be left to chance.

"If you think you have been mis-sold a policy you can make a claim for free by going direct to your bank. Free help and advice to do this is available from Citizens Advice online www.adviceguide.org.uk or at your local CAB."

In November last year Citizens Advice exposed the predatory tactics of claims management companies in its report The Claims Pests and called for the firms to be banned from cold calling.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.