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Experiencing financial abuse

We’re here to help if you or someone you know is a victim of financial abuse.

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What is financial abuse?

Financial abuse is when someone takes control of another person’s finances. Financial abuse can be found in different relationships, including partners, family members or carers. They could be doing this to reduce the victims independence – financial abuse can happen to anyone.

What can financial abuse look like?

Financial abuse can look different for different people, there are signs you can look out for, to protect yourself or someone you know. Some common signs that someone may be experiencing financial abuse are:

  • Limited or controlled access to money and accounts.
  • Limited or controlled access to statements.
  • Forced to pay someone a salary or benefit payments.
  • Stopped from using a credit card.
  • Forced to take out credit agreement products.

We can offer support to help you get control of your finances again.

At Halifax, we have been working with UK Finance to make sure we can offer the right support to you or a loved one, in a safe way. Download the financial abuse support guide (PDF, 2.48MB) for more information on how we can help, and details of other organisations you can contact for practical help and support.

We’ll help you get control of your money

Ways we can help you

Our dedicated support team are here to help you. We’ll do our best to help you get control of your money.

We can give support and guidance, including information about:

  • Joint accounts.
  • Debts, lending and mortgages.
  • Opening a new account.
  • Documents you might need, like your passport, driving licence and bills.

Keep yourself safe

It's important you take steps to keep your finances safe. Things you can do to protect yourself are:

  • Check and track your credit score on Online Banking and the Mobile Banking app.
  • If you think someone is opening your post, you may be able to have it sent somewhere else.
  • Don’t share your PIN or password with anyone.
  • Change your PIN or password if you think someone else has them.
  • Get your statements online if you use Online Banking.

Get in touch in the way that suits you

Speak to us

Speak to our dedicated support team on 0800 0854 475.

Lines are open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

We can call you

Our dedicated team can offer support by contacting you. Complete a simple online form and let us know when you want us to contact you.

Complete online form

Talk to us in branch

If it’s safe to, come and ask to speak to someone in one of our branches.

Message us online

If you're not ready to talk, you can send us a message through the Mobile Banking app or Online Banking by typing financial abuse or domestic abuse and Send. 

Please be mindful of who has access to, or who can view, your device when using the messaging service.

Messaging history is not deleted when your conversation finishes. Conversation history will be visible for up to 13 months. 

How to message us

 

Message us in our app

If you’re not ready to talk, you can message us through the Mobile Banking app.

  1. Sign in and select Support.
  2. Select Message us 24/7.
  3. Type financial abuse or domestic abuse and Send. You’ll go straight through to one of our agents.

Please be mindful of who has access to, or who can, view your phone when using the messaging service in the app.

Please be aware that message history is not deleted when your conversation finishes. Conversation history will be visible in your app for up to 13 months.

Download app

Other organisations that can help you

Refuge logo

In an emergency

If you need help urgently, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free on 0808 2000 247 (24 hours), which is run in partnership with Refuge.

Or call the police on 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

Staying safe online

Modern technology gives abusers ever-growing ways to control those using the tools of everyday life.

If you need help and support with how to secure your tech visit Refuge’s tech safety website.

Surviving Economic Abuse logo

Surviving Economic Abuse

Surviving Economic Abuse is a charity dedicated to raising awareness of this type of abuse and improving the support that is available for those experiencing it.

SEA's website has expert information on economic abuse and the support that is available to help you regain control.

You can visit the Surviving Economic Abuse website where you will find additional support, and information on next steps that you might take.

Bright Sky logo

Bright Sky

You can download the free Bright Sky app.

Bright Sky is a safe, easy to use app that has a range of tools to support you if you are in an abusive relationship or worried about someone you know.

  • The app is available in 5 languages.
  • A unique UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse support services with contact details.
  • Content to help you understand if you or someone else is at risk.
  • Links to further resources and information on domestic abuse.
  • Information to help you to stay safe online.

Calls and online sessions may be monitored and recorded. Not all Telephone Banking services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.