A complaint over late-night app alerts has resulted in a compensation payment and an ombudsman ruling for Revolut, after a customer said notifications disrupted his sleep and affected his workday.

Complaint and Initial Response

The case, reviewed by the UK Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), involved a customer referred to as Mr A. According to City A.M., he reported that two push notifications sent on separate days activated his phone during the early hours, waking him and prompting concern that something was wrong with his account.

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Revolut offered £25 in compensation and directed the customer to settings that allow users to manage or disable notifications. The firm also stated that some communications must be sent without time limits due to regulatory requirements.

A Revolut customer recently took his grievance all the way to the Financial Ombudsman Service after receiving marketing alerts in the middle of the night.

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The FOS decision noted: “Revolut explained how Mr A could manage his notifications, including how to opt-out of marketing Marketing Marketing is defined as the business process of identifying, anticipating and satisfying customers' needs and wants.This is a crucial element of any operation or brokerage in the financial services space. Well-funded marketing campaigns are instrumental to the survival and longevity of these companies in an increasingly competitive industry.Within the forex space, marketers perform a wide range of functions to help procure, secure, or retain clients.In particular, newer forex brokers also have t Marketing is defined as the business process of identifying, anticipating and satisfying customers' needs and wants.This is a crucial element of any operation or brokerage in the financial services space. Well-funded marketing campaigns are instrumental to the survival and longevity of these companies in an increasingly competitive industry.Within the forex space, marketers perform a wide range of functions to help procure, secure, or retain clients.In particular, newer forex brokers also have t Read this Term communication. But it said its regulatory requirements meant some of its communications didn’t have timeframes.” Mr A said the disruption prevented him from returning to sleep and led to a poor day at work.

Continue reading: FCA’s Review Exposes Concerns over Push Notifications and Prize Draws in Trading Apps

Ombudsman Decision and Payment Issue

The dispute escalated after Revolut paid the compensation into Mr A’s business account instead of his personal account. The customer challenged both the payment handling and the compensation amount.

An FOS investigator found that Revolut acted within its obligations Obligations In finance, an obligation is a financial responsibility where the terms of a contract must be met. Should an obligation between parties fail then the party who is at default may face legal action. In this scenario, the guilty party will not only have to agree to pay the set amount to fulfill the contractual arrangement but may also be responsible for covering all legal proceedings cost. Routine payments or outstanding debt of any kind are considered financial obligations, so if someone owes you In finance, an obligation is a financial responsibility where the terms of a contract must be met. Should an obligation between parties fail then the party who is at default may face legal action. In this scenario, the guilty party will not only have to agree to pay the set amount to fulfill the contractual arrangement but may also be responsible for covering all legal proceedings cost. Routine payments or outstanding debt of any kind are considered financial obligations, so if someone owes you Read this Term when sending the notifications and considered the £25 payment fair. Mr A then requested a final decision from an ombudsman.

The final ruling required Revolut to redirect the £25 to the correct account but did not increase the payout. Revolut declined to comment on the specific case, citing the ongoing ombudsman process, and said customers can opt out of marketing notifications through the app at any time.

Notably, the UK Financial Conduct Authority reviewed trading apps and found that features like push notifications and prize draws may encourage riskier investor behaviour. Based on a study of over 9,000 consumers, push notifications increased trading activity by 11% and risky trades by 8%, while prize draws raised trading by 12% and risky trades by 6%.

The regulator also found that although firms acknowledge the need to use these digital features responsibly, some lack proper checks to ensure users understand the risks of investing. The FCA warned that certain business models and pricing structures may not always deliver fair value, and said firms must better align their practices with consumer protection rules.