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When people experience financial exploitation, one of the most common feelings is isolation. Many tell us they feel overwhelmed, frightened, confused, and unsure where to turn next. Some eventually find themselves involved in legal proceedings. Others are considering court action but have no idea what the process involves. Many simply cannot afford legal representation. At moments like these, knowing where to find trustworthy support can make all the difference. That is why w

In May 2026, former London Capital & Finance (LCF) CEO Michael Thomson was jailed for contempt of court after breaching Serious Fraud Office restraint orders designed to preserve assets linked to the collapse of the mini-bond firm. His wife received a suspended sentence for related breaches. The offences involved the sale of luxury items, including horse saddles and a hot tub, while the Serious Fraud Office continues its investigation into one of the UK’s most devastating ret

There comes a point in some financial disputes where the problem stops being only legal or financial. It becomes physiological. You stop sleeping properly. You tense when the post arrives. Your body reacts before your mind has even processed the letter. For many people facing long-running mortgage disputes, debt enforcement, litigation, or institutional pressure, the real damage is not just the paperwork — it is the gradual erosion of stability, clarity, confidence, and healt

There is a quiet assumption built into many financial and legal systems: If you signed the document, you understood it. But real life is rarely that simple. People sign agreements while tired, stressed, grieving, overwhelmed, intimidated, rushed, hopeful, trusting, distracted, or simply trying to keep life moving. Sometimes they believe they are agreeing to one thing, only to discover years later they also agreed to consequences they never truly understood. A recent judgment

For years, consumer harm has often been framed as a personal failure. “You should have read the agreement.” “You signed it.” “You accepted the terms.” But a new UK Government consultation on the misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) suggests something important is beginning to shift. The conversation is slowly moving away from:“Did someone sign?” Towards: “Did they truly understand what they were signing?” And: “Was the process genuinely fair?” That distinction matters.

Most people do not read terms and conditions before signing. Research regularly suggests around 7 in 10 people either never read them properly or only skim them. Not because they are careless. Because life is busy. Because contracts are overwhelming. Because sales environments create pressure. Because people trust the brand, adviser, broker, lender, provider, or salesperson sitting in front of them. And because most legal documents are not written to be easily understood by o

Not every injustice becomes a strong legal case simply because the person feels deeply wronged. One of the hardest realities in citizen investigation and self-representation is recognising when a legitimate grievance begins to expand into something much larger — emotionally, politically, psychologically, and procedurally. In legal circles, this can become what might be called LiP mission creep. A recent Australian court case involving former university lecturer Dr Reuben Kirk

When something has gone wrong financially, people are often told: “Put together your documents.”“Build a bundle.”“Send us the evidence.” On the surface, it sounds simple. In reality, it can feel overwhelming. You may have: Emails scattered across years Letters you don’t fully understand Documents that seem important, but you’re not sure why And underneath it all, a feeling that something isn’t right—but you can’t quite explain it yet. That’s where most people get stuck. Befor

Why victims of financial exploitation need clarity—not pressure to “move on” When you’ve been financially exploited, one of the most confusing messages you may hear is this: “You need to let it go.” It can sound caring. It can even sound wise.But in practice, it often lands as something else entirely: A quiet dismissal of what happened A pressure to stop asking questions A signal that pursuing clarity might be “too much” At Get SAFE, we see this clearly: Recovery is not about

Restoring Human Agency in the Age of AI Get SAFE exists for one reason: To restore human agency for individuals affected by financial harm. When people experience financial exploitation, fraud, or institutional failure, they are not just financially impacted — they are often left confused, overwhelmed, and unable to think clearly or act effectively. At the same time, the systems they must engage with — financial institutions, complaint processes, ombudsman services — are stru

There’s been a quiet but important shift in the UK courts. Senior judges are now openly using artificial intelligence as part of their day-to-day work. Not to decide cases—but to improve clarity, reduce error, and increase efficiency. That matters. Because it shows where AI is genuinely useful—and where the boundaries still sit. The judiciary has started using AI—carefully Sir Colin Birss, a senior judge in England and Wales, recently outlined how AI is already being used ins

When something doesn’t feel right, it’s often hard to explain why. Contracts can be long, complex, and written in a way that’s difficult to follow—especially when you’re under pressure, short on time, or already feeling overwhelmed. The Leveller is here to help you slow things down. It reads documents with you and highlights areas that may need closer attention—using clear, simple language. What it does The Leveller helps you: Spot potential risks It brings attention to term

“All planning begins with what is already present.” The Leveller starts with the contract in your hand. Every day, people are asked to sign agreements they don’t fully understand. Not because they lack intelligence. But because the system is designed that way. Contracts are long Language is complex Time pressure is real And the other side knows exactly what they’re doing This is where harm begins—not after the fact, but at the point of signature . The Leveller changes that mo

By Steve Conley, Founder of Get SAFE (Support After Financial Exploitation) For years, we have sat with people after the damage was done. People who trusted.People who signed.People who didn’t realise what they had agreed to until it was too late. The consequences are rarely just financial. They affect confidence, relationships, health—and sometimes a person’s entire sense of safety in the world. And almost every story begins the same way: “I didn’t understand what I was sign

Not everyone who loses money loses their life. But some do. Not because of the money. Because they cannot find a way to live as the person they have become. The Loss No One Sees When people experience financial harm—especially through betrayal, mis-selling, or institutional failure—the visible loss is measured in pounds. But beneath that sits something far more profound. They lose: Their sense of safety Their trust in systems Their belief in fairness Their identity as someone

From harm… to clarity… to agency There’s a truth the financial system rarely acknowledges: You cannot build a meaningful future on top of confusion, fear, or harm. And yet, that’s exactly where many people find themselves. The Hidden Starting Point Every week, we speak to individuals who have experienced financial harm. Not because they were careless. But because they were navigating: complex systems unclear advice pressure at critical moments information they couldn’t fully

When something doesn’t feel right… A message. A call. A link. Most people pause. Then comes the uncertainty: Is this real? Am I overreacting? Where do I even go to check this? For many, that moment passes without support. And sometimes, that’s when harm begins. Why this matters now Scams are no longer occasional. They are constant, sophisticated, and targeted. Globally, the cost is estimated at $442 billion a year . But the financial loss is only part of the story. What we se

What the New Reforms Mean for Citizen Investigators When someone experiences financial harm, the journey to justice is rarely straightforward. For many people in the UK, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has been the main place to seek independent resolution. It exists to provide a free, accessible alternative to the courts for disputes between consumers and financial firms. That role is now changing. Following a government review, a package of reforms has been proposed

A new report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Investment Fraud and Fairer Financial Services has triggered an important national conversation. The report — “Why Our Financial Conduct Regulation Needs Reforming” — brings together years of evidence suggesting that the UK’s financial conduct regulation system may not be working as well as it should for ordinary people. See press statement about the report: “WHY OUR FINANCIAL CONDUCT REGULATION NEEDS REFO

Understanding the FCA’s Deregulation Agenda — and Protecting Your Rights Recent remarks from senior leadership at the Financial Conduct Authority suggest the regulator intends to simplify financial services regulation in order to support growth and innovation. At first glance, that sounds reasonable. Regulation can become complex, and complexity can sometimes slow innovation. But for individuals harmed by financial institutions — particularly those pursuing complaints, compe