The Financial Ombudsman Service is an independent organization in the UK that helps resolve disputes between consumers and financial service providers. It offers a free service for individuals who have complaints about issues like banking, insurance, and investments. The Ombudsman investigates complaints and makes decisions based on fairness and the law. Established in 2000, the service aims to ensure that consumers are treated fairly by financial institutions. If a consumer is unhappy with a financial service provider's response to their complaint, they can escalate the issue to the Ombudsman for a resolution.