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What is financial abuse?
Financial abuse is a legally recognised form of domestic abuse and is defined in the Domestic Abuse Act.
Financial abuse involves the control of a person’s money and finances, as well as the things that money can buy. It can take place from a partner, family member, friend or carer.
If you contact us about financial abuse, our team will respond with empathy and be flexible to your needs, offering you specialist help. Your conversation will be confidential and you won’t be asked to repeat your story.
If it’s easier for you, we can also speak to your friends, family or advocacy services on your behalf.
For more information on support available read UK Finance's guide.
How to spot financial abuse
It can be difficult to spot financial abuse because there are many different ways someone could take control of another person's money. Here are some examples:
- Someone has restricted your access to your money and accounts
- Someone has taken out credit cards and/or loans in your name without your knowledge or consent
- Someone cashing in your pension or other funds without your authorisation
- Someone has restricted access to or taken control of your debit card
- They’ve spent your household budget on things without telling you
- They refuse to contribute towards the mortgage so you can't afford the repayments
- They've put all the bills in your name, or are forcing you to pay all the bills
HSBC UK Safe Spaces
If you think you might be experiencing financial abuse, we're here to help you take back control of your money.
There are Safe Spaces at HSBC UK branches, which you can use. These private spaces offer a safe and discreet way to reach out to friends and family and contact specialist support services.
Get help with financial abuse now
If you’re concerned about fraud or financial abuse, whether for yourself or someone else, talk to us as soon as you can.
Request a call back
If you're experiencing financial or domestic abuse, you can request a call back from our specialist team at a time you think you'll be free to talk
- Fill in the form, letting us know a time you'd like us to call you. Please choose a date and time at least 48 hours in the future.
- On the date and time you've requested, we'll call you from an unknown number.
- If you confirm that you're free to talk, we’ll ask a couple of questions to confirm you’re you.
- We’ll then let you know about the ways we can help and support you in the best way we can.
What happens when we call
We'll call from an unknown number and start the conversation with: "Hello (your name), is now a good time to talk?"
If you say no, we'll terminate the call.
If we haven't been able to make contact with you at the safe time you've given, we won't try another time. If we haven't been able to speak to you and you'd still like to speak to us, please submit another form.
Please note, if you have withheld numbers blocked, our call will not appear.
Ways to contact us
Prefer not to speak to us directly?
If you'd prefer not to speak to us directly, there are other organisations that are good at listening or giving advice. Take a look at Other financial abuse support.
How can HSBC help?
Other financial abuse support
If you need to talk, all of our branches offer a Safe Space.
Or, if you'd prefer not to speak to us directly, there are a number of organisations listed below that are good at listening or giving advice. They're specially trained to help with financial and domestic abuse.
