Financial and economic abuse

Financial and economic abuse are a form of domestic violence and anyone can be a victim. It's where someone you’re in a relationship with restricts your financial freedom. This doesn’t only mean a romantic partner – it could also be a family member, parent, carer or friend.

• Insisting their name is added to your bank or savings accounts, or stopping you from accessing your accounts
• Insisting you give them your salary or benefit payments
• Running up debts in your name with or without your knowledge. For example, credit cards or credit agreements for mobile phones or car finance
• Forcing you to put all household bills in your name and/or refusing to contribute
• Cashing your pension or cheques without your permission
• Not allowing you to earn or spend any money unless you have their permission

• Stopping you from going to work, college or university
• Isolating you – for example, not allowing you to access a mobile phone, car or other utilities, or stopping you from making or receiving phone calls
• Stopping you from spending money on essentials
• Not allowing you to buy pet food or access care for your pet
• Deliberately forcing you to go to the family courts so you have to pay additional legal fees
• Making education, training or employment difficult for you, so you’re financially dependent on them
• Damaging possessions which you have to replace
• Making it harder for you to buy food or pay for transport
• Stop you going to work so you can earn money

We will listen and make sure we understand your situation. Then we’ll suggest ways we can help you get control of your accounts. Here are some examples:

• Open a new account that’s in your name only
• Help you to update your contact details, so any information is only sent to you
• Add extra passwords or limits to your accounts to give you extra peace of mind
• Help you choose a different way to manage your account
• Give you longer appointments, or if you’re in one of our branches or agencies, have discussions in a separate room
• If you’re in debt because of the abuse you’ve suffered, we can help you stop any further debt from happening in your name.

If you’re worried your money is at risk, please let us know as soon as you can. You can ask for help at your local branch or agency, get in touch by phone, or send us a secure message if you’re registered for online services.

If you’re affected by domestic abuse, there are organisations who can help. Whether that’s helping you move to a safe place, legal advice, or other types of practical help.

• UK Finance - It’s your money
• Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) – a UK charity which raises awareness of economic abuse. Together with the Money and Pension Service, they have a free helpline (0808 1968845, Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm). If your first language isn’t English, an interpreter is available. More information is available at https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/what-we-do/financial-support-line/

• If you’re worried that loans or credit cards could have been taken out in your name, you can check your credit file. There are three main credit reference agencies you can contact:

  • Experian
  • Equifax
  • TransUnion

• Bright Sky is a free mobile app. If you're in an abusive relationship or worried about someone, they have a range of tools to support you.

  • Bright Sky in Apple Store
  • Bright Sky in Google Play