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What is financial abuse?

  • Financial abuse happens when someone controls your access to your money or the things you own, in a way that isn’t in your interests. It can be difficult to know when financial abuse is happening, but it can impact anyone, regardless of their age, gender or culture. 

    Another type of financial abuse is sharing or threatening to share intimate images or videos without your consent if you don’t pay someone or give them your bank details.

    None of this abuse is okay and help is available if it’s happening to you or someone you know.

Red flags to look out for

Preventing you from getting a job or restricting your work opportunities.

Someone else controlling your bank account, debit cards or cash.

Being forced to share your PIN, passwords or other financial details.

Threatening to, or actually sharing intimate images of you without your consent.

Being forced to share intimate images for payments such as money, crypto or gift cards.

Being forced to give money, favours or other things under the threat of sharing your intimate images.

Protecting yourself

If you think you are being financially abused, you can do things to protect yourself and get help: 

  • Recognise the signs: Look out for red flags. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t! It’s important to understand that financial abuse is a form of control. If someone is pressuring you for money or explicit content or forcing you to spend money in ways you don’t think is in your best interest, this is abuse. 
  • Secure your devices and financial info: Use strong passwords and enable security features such as multi-factor authentication on your devices to protect your personal content. Do not share your PIN, passwords or other sensitive financial information with anyone.
  • Set boundaries: If something doesn’t feel right with the way someone is behaving with your money or personal content, let them know you’re not comfortable with what’s going on.
  • Seek support from a trusted person: Talk to a trusted person about what you’re going through. This could be an older sibling, parent, friend or teacher. They can help you understand what to do and make sure you don’t go it alone. 
  • Keep records: If it’s safe, keep a record of any incidents, like screenshots of messages or recordings or notes of conversations which may have made you feel uncomfortable. This can be helpful if you need to report it later.  
  • Get on the path to financial independence: If you can, open your own bank account and secure your money away from anyone who is pressuring you or making you feel uncomfortable about your finances. 
  • Stay safe online: Think carefully before sharing intimate images or videos, even with trusted people. Don’t feel like you can’t block someone on your socials if they’re making you do things you don’t want to do.  
  • Safety first: If you ever feel threatened, unsafe or afraid, reach out to a trusted person. The police and support services can also help you get safe. 

Where to get help

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