Know your rights

Consumer Daily

Most banking interactions happen without issues. But sometimes, things don't go as expected. Knowing your rights, and understanding how to seek support, can help you resolve issues faster. Every month, a plain-English guide to your rights.

Know where your money is. Know what happens next.

This month's film

Know Your Rights

A 60-second guide to what happens when a banking interaction doesn't go as expected, and how to seek support at each stage.

Your three rights

When something goes wrong, you have options

Raise a concern

Start with your bank's own complaints channel. Be specific: what happened, when, and what outcome you expect. Keep a record of every conversation, reference number, and date.

Understand the process

Banks must acknowledge your complaint, investigate it, and respond within regulated timeframes. Knowing the steps helps you judge whether your case is progressing the way it should.

Know what to expect

You are entitled to a clear outcome: a resolution, an explanation, or a route to escalate. If the bank cannot resolve it, you have the right to take it further.

The complaints journey

What to expect at each stage

Every complaint follows a path. Knowing where you are on it, and what should happen next, gives you confidence and control.

1

Raise your concern

Tell your bank what went wrong, in writing if possible. Include dates, amounts, and reference numbers.

2

Acknowledgement

The bank confirms receipt of your complaint and assigns it a case reference. This starts the regulatory clock.

3

Investigation

The bank reviews the details, checks records, and may contact you for more information. You should receive updates.

4

Outcome

You receive a clear decision: a resolution, a correction, a refund, or a written explanation of the bank's position.

5

Escalation route

If you are not satisfied, you have the right to take the complaint to an independent external complaints authority.

Coming up

Every month, a new guide

Consumer Daily is an ongoing series. Each month we break down a different aspect of your banking rights in plain English, so you always know where you stand.

01How to raise a concern effectively
02How the complaints process works
03What to expect at each stage
04When and how to escalate
05Understanding banking terminology
06Your rights during a payment delay
07What to do if a payment goes missing
08How to protect yourself before things go wrong

Talk to your bank

Talk to your bank manager about OpenPaymentGPS

OpenPaymentGPS gives banks the visibility layer their customers have been asking for. If your bank doesn't offer it yet, ask them when they will.