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Financial abuse

Protecting against financial abuse

What is financial abuse?

Financial abuse can take a variety of forms within different relationships; and can include partners, family members or carers. It might be financial control, exploitation or sabotage. Financial abuse can happen to anyone.

There are ways we can help you, and the most important thing is that you talk to someone. There's always help available to you.

What could financial abuse look like?

You or someone you know may be a victim of financial abuse. Here are some questions which might help you recognise if this is the case.

Has your partner/family member/carer or friend done any of the following things?

  • Stopped you from going to work/college or university?
  • Asked you to account for every single thing you spend?
  • Stopped you from spending on essentials?
  • Taken out credit cards or loans in your name?
  • Spent your household budget on other things without telling you?
  • Stopped you from having access to your financial services firm accounts or added their name to your accounts without authorisation?
  • Made you put all the bills in your name?
  • Cashed your pension or other cheques without authorisation?
  • Asked you to change your Will?
  • Stopped you from seeing other friends or family?
  • Offered to buy shopping or pay bills but you don’t see this happening?

How we can help

If you or someone you know is a victim of financial abuse we can offer support to help you regain control of your money. Our employees are trained to help in this kind of situation and understand the difficulties you face. They will be respectful and where appropriate, tailor solutions to your individual circumstances.

If it’s safe to do so, ask to speak to someone about what you're going through.  We'll do everything we can to support you and will signpost other organisations which will also be able to help.

We may even contact you if we see anything that could raise concern, such as:

  • Unexplained withdrawals from your account
  • Unusual activity in your accounts
  • Unpaid bills
  • Unexplained shortage of money
  • New people accompanying you to branch

There are many organisations which offer support to those affected by financial abuse, whether that is help to move to a safe place, legal advice or other types of practical help.

Organisations that can offer support

There's a lot of help and support where you can talk things through and get some practical advice. If you're experiencing domestic violence or abuse, or financial abuse and are in immediate danger then call the police.

Jersey

Guernsey

Isle of Man

Gibraltar

Get in touch to request additional support

Do you need extra help with banking because of a disability, health condition or as your circumstances have changed? Are you worried that a vulnerable person might need further help from us or think that you or someone else might be the victim of financial abuse?

Our Support Specialists are here for you. They can offer:

  • Zoom video calls,
  • Home visits,
  • Face to face meetings, 
  • Telephone calls and; 
  • Email correspondence to make sure that your needs are met with us.
Request a callback