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Help if you’re experiencing domestic or financial abuse

Abuse can take many forms, not just physical violence. Abuse can also be emotional, psychological, sexual, coercive or controlling behaviour.

Abuse might be carried out by a partner, family member, friend, carer or a registered third party or power of attorney.

If you think you’re experiencing domestic or financial abuse, please contact us.

Types of domestic abuse

You may not realise if you’re in an abusive relationship. You may be experiencing domestic abuse if your partner or family member typically:

  • puts you down or humiliates you
  • threatens or hurts you
  • stops you seeing family or friends
  • forces non-consensual sex
  • uses anger and intimidation to frighten you
  • blames you for their behaviour
  • controls your money

Types of economic and financial abuse

It can be difficult to notice economic and financial abuse, but you may be experiencing financial abuse if another person typically:

  • has control over your finances
  • stops you working or getting to work
  • adds their name to your accounts
  • gets your salary or pensions paid into their accounts
  • spends your money without your permission or knowledge of where it’s going
  • borrows or forces you to borrow money in your name with or without your knowledge
  • has asked you to change your will
  • sends you payments and uses inappropriate, threatening, harassing or offensive language in the payment references
  • sends you multiple low-value payments with little or no referencing, with the intention of harassing you or causing you distress
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For more advice about how to prevent financial abuse download this PDF

Its your money (ukfinance.org.uk) (PDF, 487KB)

TSB Flee Fund


TSB’s Flee Fund gives domestic abuse victims up to £500 to pay for essentials that make leaving possible. No need to pay it back.

The quickest way to get help is to come into branch to find out more about the support we offer. If you need us, we’re here.


What we can do to help you

  • Send documents and cards to a safe address.
  • Help you open accounts in your sole name, with a non-location sort code.
  • Review any joint accounts you have with your abuser, such as current accounts and credit cards.
  • Monitor payment references used on payments made to your account for inappropriate or abusive language. With your consent, we can give the abuser written warnings or close their account if they bank with us, or notify their bank which could potentially take similar action.
  • Help you change your login details.
  • Use TSB’s Flee Fund to help you get out of an abusive situation (see above).
  • Give you access to Hollie Guard Extra, the enhanced personal safety app and Bright Sky, the support directory app.
  • Explore options to support you if you're in financial difficulties.
  • Introduce you to independent charities for support.
  • We know it can be upsetting sharing your situation so you’ll only need to tell us once.

Practical steps you can take to regain control of your finances

  • Keep your account secure by changing your PIN and passwords regularly.
  • Keep your letters safe. Nominate a safe address to have all your banking and personal information sent to. 
  • Keep an eye on your credit file. This will help you identify any lending in your name. You can use a service like CIFAS for this www.cifas.org.uk/pr
  • Clear your browsing history often. This will make it harder for someone to see what you’re doing online. Learn how to do this with advice from Refuge. Learn more on refuge.org.uk

Speak privately to us in branch

Come into any TSB branch and use one of our Safe Space rooms. All our branches offer private rooms to anyone who needs space to look for help.

You may be able to access funds from our Emergency Flee Fund if you need to escape an abusive relationship.

Talk to us

Talk face to face, over the phone, or on a video call to one of our team who’ll be able to give you some advice on the steps you can take to protect yourself and your money.


 


Helping protect people

Hollie Guard is a personal safety app, providing enhanced levels of protection, acting as a personal alarm, deterrent, evidence catcher and more. To unlock the full power of Hollie Guard with Hollie Guard Extra talk to us in branch, or video or telephone banking.

Visit Hollie Guard

 

Video Example

Safe Space Project

We also support Safe Spaces online - click on the Safe Spaces logo at the bottom of all our pages - you can search for local support in your area without leaving a trace in your browsing history. 

Visit the SafeSpaces Project

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)

Specialist advice for anyone experiencing domestic abuse who is in financial difficulty.

Visit SEA

Lightening reach logo

Lightning Reach offers personalised support

Lightning Reach is an easy-to-use portal that helps you find and apply for financial support such as grants, benefits, local schemes, and discounted tariffs.

Visit Lightning Reach

Bright Sky logo

Bright Sky app by Hestia

Bright Sky UK is a free app that helps you spot the signs of abuse, respond safely, and find local support services.

Go to the Bright Sky app