Car finance claim spam texts are rising: how to tell a genuine company from an unsolicited marketer

Unexpected texts promising car finance compensation have become widespread. On 29 July 2026, the Information Commissioner’s Office executed search warrants at premises linked to five companies in Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea. The ICO said more than 12 million complaints about nuisance car finance marketing texts had been submitted since September 2025, with up to 100,000 received in a day. The companies under investigation were suspected of sending a combined 170 million messages between September 2025 and May 2026. The searches formed part of ongoing investigations and did not establish wrongdoing.
An unexpected text is not automatically proof of fraud. It may come from a real business using unlawful marketing, a lead generator collecting details for sale or a scammer impersonating a regulated company. In every case, pause before clicking or sharing information.

Why these messages are so common

Potential motor finance compensation has created a valuable market for customer leads. Some businesses send messages and then pass respondents to a claims management company or law firm. Marketing texts generally require valid consent, and an FCA-authorised claims management company must not email or text you unless you have agreed to receive marketing.

The legal challenge and the payouts being paused do not stop consumers from complaining. However, messages promising an immediate or guaranteed payment are misleading. Similar pressure tactics appear in recovery room scams, where victims are asked to pay or disclose sensitive information to recover supposed compensation.

Signs that a message deserves caution

Treat a text as suspicious if you did not consent to contact, it guarantees a particular sum before reviewing an agreement, or it pushes you to act immediately. Do not trust a message merely because it contains a logo, company number or FCA reference, as genuine details can be copied.

Never provide online banking credentials, a card PIN, one-time passcode or remote access to your device. A lender may eventually need an account number and sort code to pay valid redress, but only share these after independently confirming the recipient.

What a regulated company should provide

Search the company’s legal name or reference number using the FCA Firm Checker. Compare its website, email address and telephone number with the official register rather than relying on the text.

An authorised claims management company should explain that you can complain yourself for free, provide a clear breakdown of its fees and offer a 14-day cooling-off period. It must not use high-pressure selling, and its communications must be fair, clear and not misleading. Regulated does not mean free, so check success fees and cancellation terms. The guide to how these services work explains what professional assistance should involve.

You can complain for free

You can complain directly to your lender without using a representative. If you remain unhappy after the lender’s final response or redress determination, the Financial Ombudsman Service can consider eligible complaints free of charge.

Read how car finance mis-selling works, follow the car finance complaint process, and consider whether to complain now or wait. No company can guarantee compensation from only your phone number or vehicle registration.

What to do with a suspicious text

Do not click its link or use the contact details supplied. Forward the message to 7726, free on UK mobile networks, and report nuisance marketing to the ICO. Block the sender afterwards. The Telephone Preference Service can reduce unsolicited sales calls, but it does not stop marketing texts.

Get help on your terms

Start through a verified website rather than an unexpected message. Claim First is a trading style of MG Financial Limited, an FCA-authorised claims management company under reference 832131. Its mis-sold car finance claim service is offered on a no-win, no-fee basis with no upfront charge. If compensation is recovered, its published success fee is 15% to 30% plus VAT.

Claim First also assists with payday loan refunds, housing disrepair claims and scam recovery. Verify the firm independently, understand the fees and make contact on your own terms.