The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning about the 'Freemen on the Land' (FOTL) conspiracy theory, which falsely claims that individuals are not legally bound by their mortgage contracts. This misinformation, spread through social media and YouTube videos, is leading financially distressed homeowners to lose their homes and equity by attempting to block repossession proceedings based on legally invalid arguments.
‘Freemen on the land’: YouTube videos tell homeowners they aren’t bound by mortgages
ScamsMortgagesPropertyConsumer affairsBanks and building societiesMoneyBankingBusinessUK
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning about the 'Freemen on the Land' (FOTL) conspiracy theory, which falsely claims that individuals are not legally bound by their mortgage contracts. This misinformation, spread through social media and YouTube videos, is leading financially distressed homeowners to lose their homes and equity by attempting to block repossession proceedings based on legally invalid arguments.
Trending- 1 Magna Carta (historical basis for FOTL arguments)
- 2 2025 (June 8): FCA sounds alarm, rise in borrowers using FOTL arguments
- Homeowners losing their homes and equity
- Financial distress worsened
- Legal costs incurred for invalid claims
- Spread of misinformation
- Strain on legal and local government systems
What: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is warning about the 'Freemen on the Land' (FOTL) conspiracy theory, which asserts that individuals are only bound by laws they consent to, and thus not by mortgage contracts. This theory, gaining traction via social media (especially YouTube and Facebook groups), is leading financially vulnerable homeowners to challenge repossession proceedings. However, these arguments are legally invalid, resulting in people losing their homes and significant equity, and the scam also extends to avoiding council tax and parking fines.
When: Published 2025-06-08. The movement is not new but is 'gaining currency' now.
Where: United Kingdom (FCA, courts, councils like Thurrock), online (YouTube, Facebook).
Why: Financially distressed homeowners are susceptible to these false arguments as a desperate attempt to avoid losing their homes. The 'Freemen' movement exploits this vulnerability for fees.
How: Misinformation is spread through online videos (YouTube) and social media groups (Facebook). Individuals pay fees to 'Freemen' to represent their claims in court. The FCA, housing charities (Shelter), and councils are actively debunking these claims and advising people to seek legitimate financial advice.