Financial abuse

Financial abuse occurs when an abuser uses money as a means to gain power and to control their partner, family members, acquaintances, or even strangers. It occurs in many different forms, often alongside other types of abuse. It can affect anyone.

Forms of financial abuse

  • Someone restricts your access to money or dictates your spending
  • You are given an allowance to spend each week and are required to provide receipts to verify the money you have spent
  • Someone forces you to give them access to your bank accounts
  • Important financial information is kept hidden from you
  • Someone sells or threatens to sell your belongings against your wishes
  • Someone forces you to apply for a credit card or loan and takes out a credit card or loan in your name
  • Someone buys something on your credit/debit card without your consent
  • Someone forges your signature on financial documents
  • Someone insists that loans or bills are in your name
  • Someone prevents you from working or earning your own money
  • Someone forced you to undertake additional paid or unpaid duties

What you can do to protect yourself against financial abuse

Talk to us about your situation. We may be able to assist in:

  • Securing your accounts and helping you change passwords, login details, and PIN information
  • Opening a bank account in your name only
  • Updating the signing authority for your account
  • Providing you with financial assistance and guidance

Other actions you can take:

  • Talk to a trusted loved one about your situation and ensure you remain socially connected to friends and family members
  • Refrain from signing documents you haven't read or don't understand
  • If you think someone may be monitoring your online activities, consider using a different computer or device
  • If possible, regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorised or unexplained transactions
  • If it is safe to do so, change your online usernames, passwords and PINS and put passcodes on all your devices.
  • Try to ensure that you are the only person opening the mail addressed to you. In the UK, there are services available which can offer address protection and mail privacy. Further details can be found on the following links:

  • https://www.ukpostbox.com/who-uses-uk-postbox/vulnerable-people

  • https://www.royalmail.com/d8/help/redirection
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