How to tell if you’ve been mis-sold an investment, and what to do next

If you’ve ended up with an investment that is now pouring your money down the drain, you might have been mis-sold. But it’s not all bad news, you could be owed financial compensation. So, how can you tell you were mis-sold your investment? What are the warning signs? And what can you do about it?

• What is investment mis-selling?
• How to tell you’ve been mis-sold an investment
• What are some of the most commonly mis-sold investments?
• What to do if you have been mis-sold an investment

What is investment mis-selling?

Investment mis-selling is what happens when you’re talked into an investment that was never right for you – whether through bad advice or missing information. Maybe the risks weren’t explained properly, or your financial circumstances were completely ignored. Either way, if you ended up with an investment that’s lost you money and sleep, you might have been mis-sold.

How to tell you’ve been mis-sold an investment

Lost out big but not sure if you were mis-sold your investment? If any of these classic giveaways sound familiar, it’s likely you were a victim:

• You weren’t told about the risks – Every investment carries risk, but if your advisor played down the potential losses or called something ‘low-risk’ when it clearly wasn’t, that’s a problem.
• You were rushed into a decision – Investing is a big deal. If you felt pressured to sign on the spot or weren’t given time to consider your options, you might have been mis-sold.
• Your financial circumstances weren’t considered – Advisors should factor in your financial stability, income, and future plans. If they didn’t ask, or ignored what you told them, their advice may have been unsuitable.
• The investment didn’t match your risk profile – If you were after a steady, low-risk investment but ended up with something high-risk, it was likely mis-sold to you.
• You were promised guaranteed returns – There’s no such thing as a risk-free investment with guaranteed returns. If you were told otherwise, it was misleading.

Alarm bells ringing? If so, it’s time to speak to a financial claims expert – you might be owed thousands in compensation for your mis-sold investment. Get started now at 01204 929 929 or use our quick online enquiry form.

What are some of the most commonly mis-sold investments?

Not every investment is bad – but some are pushed onto the wrong people for the wrong reasons. If you were sold something that didn’t match your needs, risk tolerance, or financial goals, you might have a claim. Here are some of the biggest offenders that we handle on a regular basis:

Mis-sold bonds

Investment bonds can be a tricky thing, and not all of them are right for the average investor. Some come with high fees, long lock-in periods, or risks that aren’t always properly explained at the time of sale. If you were led to believe your bond was low-risk or easy to cash in, only to find out otherwise, you may have a claim on your hands.

Unregulated Collective Investment Schemes (UCIS)

UCIS investments are high-risk and often fall outside the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) protection. They’re not supposed to be sold to everyday investors, yet they often are, especially with promises of huge returns. If you weren’t warned about the risks or were told a UCIS was a ‘safe bet’, you could be eligible for compensation.

Mis-sold unit trusts

Unit trusts are often marketed as a simple way to invest, but they don’t suit every investor. They sometimes carry higher risks, involve complicated withdrawal structures, or come with fees that eat into your returns. If you weren’t given all the details before committing, you might have a case.

Mis-sold open-ended investments

Open-ended investments allow you to buy and sell shares freely, but that doesn’t mean they’re risk-free. Were you left in the dark about fluctuating values, sudden liquidity issues, or extra charges? You might have been mis-sold.

Mis-sold managed portfolios

A managed portfolio should match your financial goals and risk tolerance – emphasis on “should”. If your portfolio was packed with unsuitable investments, charged excessive fees, or performed far worse than you were led to expect, it could be due to poor advice.

Not sure if any of this applies to you? It’s still worth checking – calling our team doesn’t commit you to anything. If you have a valid claim, we’ll do everything we can to get your hard-earned money back in your hands.

What to do if you have been mis-sold an investment

If you suspect you’ve been mis-sold an investment, don’t try to tackle it alone. This is where Spencer Churchill Claims Advice comes in. We specialise in financial mis-selling claims and know exactly how to get you the compensation you deserve. Here’s how we can help:

• Assess your case – Not sure if you have a valid claim? Leave it to us, we’ll review your investment and personal circumstances to see if you were given poor advice.
• Handle all the paperwork – No need to dig through endless documents. If you have contracts, emails, or paperwork, we’ll use them to build a strong claim.
• Deal with all the back and forth – If your advisor is still trading, we’ll bring it up with them directly. If not – or if they refuse to play ball – we’ll escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman, or FSCS.
• Win your case and recover your money – We’re confident in our ability to get your money back. But in the worst case scenario, you don’t pay us a penny. That’s the beauty of no-win, no-fee.

Recover your lost money with Spencer Churchill Claims Advice

If you’ve been mis-sold an investment, you need experts who know how to get your money back. We’ve helped countless people across the UK do just that.

We specialise in mis-sold investment claims, from unit trusts to bonds to UCIS, handling every case with expert care. Our team has already recovered hundreds of thousands for investors who were given poor advice, misled on risks, or pressured into unsuitable products. Things stay simple when you work with us – no jargon, no confusing legal talk, just clear, honest guidance from day one.

Best of all, with our no-win, no-fee service, you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case. If bad financial advice has cost you money, don’t let it slide.

Get in touch and see if you have a financial claim today!