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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
  • Adding their name to your accounts
  • Get your salary or pensions paid into their accounts
  • Spends your money without your permission or knowledge where it’s going
  • They borrow or force you to borrow money in your name with or without your knowledge
  • They’ve asked you to change your will
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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.

Book a video appointment or 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. 
  • Help you change your login details. 
  • Option to use TSB’s Flee Fund to help you get out of an abusive situation (see above).
  • Explore options to support you 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.


 


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. 

Learn more about Safe Spaces

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)

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

Learn more about SEA

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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.

Learn more about Lightning Reach