Financial abuse — what to look out for
by Verve
Financial abuse can happen to anyone. It is also a common, yet often poorly understood, aspect of family violence.
Verve’s Head Financial Coach Zoe Lamont, explains that over the past decade she has often spoken to women who have unknowingly described their marriage, or financial situation, as a coercive, controlling, financially abusive relationship.
Lamont explains that “financial abuse, just like emotional and psychological abuse, can be hard to recognise when it is happening to you. This is where friends and family can help if you spot something that is off’.”
According to the Government Money Smart Website, the official definition of financial abuse is when someone takes away your access to money, manipulates your financial decisions, or uses your money without consent. This often exists alongside other forms of emotional or physical abuse, however, this may not always be the case. In the majority of cases, financial abuse is perpetrated by one spouse towards the other, however, it may also occur between children and elderly parents, parents to adult children or other familial relationships.
Once you know the signs, there are ways to get help and regain your independence.
Signs of a financially abusive person
A person can be financially abusive in many different ways. Some signs of financial abuse are when a person:
Controls your access to money
- restricts your access to bank accounts, credit cards or cash
- makes you ask permission to spend your own money
- denies you access to the internet, phone or transport to prevent you from working or studying
- refuses to contribute to shared costs or child support
- refuses to provide you with enough money for living expenses or for costs related to raising children
- controls access to employment or makes you feel guilty about it
- controls access to study or makes you feel guilty about it
Uses your money without your knowledge or consent
- forges your signature on cheques
- withdraws or transfers large amounts of money from your bank account
- uses your credit card
- cancels or hides bank or credit card statements
- uses bill, rent or mortgage money for something else
- sells your property
Signs legal documents
- forges your signature on legal documents
- forces you to sign documents that you don’t understand
- takes out loans, credit cards or debts in your name without your permission
- pressures you to take on a loan or a debt on their behalf
- forces or pressures you to change your will
- forces or pressures you to appoint them as your enduring power of attorney
- doesn’t act in your best interests as your power of attorney
Threatens or punishes you
- makes you feel guilty if you don’t give them money
- isolates you — or threatens to — from your family or friends if you don’t give them money
- hurts or punishes you — or threatens to — if you don’t give them money
- makes you feel stupid or that you can’t be trusted with money
- questions or punishes your spending
Getting help and support for financial abuse
If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, free and confidential help is available.
If you need legal help or advice, see free legal advice.
If you’re in crisis or struggling to make ends meet, find out how to get urgent help with money.
Contact one of these organisations for free and confidential support.
Help for families affected by relationship or separation issues
Family Relationship Advice Line
- 1800 050 32
- 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday
- 10am-4pm, Saturday
Crisis Support
- 13 11 14, 24 hrs
Family violence, abuse and sexual assault counselling
- 1800 737 732, 24 hours
Help if you’re struggling with debt
- 1800 007 007
- 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Family counselling, mediation and dispute resolution services
- 1300 364 277
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This blog is published by Verve Superannuation Pty Ltd (ABN 65 628 675 169, AFS Representative No. 001268903), which is a Corporate Authorised Representative of True Oak Investments Ltd (ABN 81 002 558 956, AFSL 238184), as the Sub-Promoter of Verve Super.
Verve Superannuation Pty Ltd and True Oak Investments Ltd are not licensed to provide personal financial advice. The information contained in this blog, including any financial guidance, is general in nature. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to ensure that your financial decisions are suited to your unique circumstances.
You should read the Product Disclosure Statement, Additional Information Booklet, Insurance Guide, Target Market Determination and Financial Services Guide before making a decision to acquire, hold or continue to hold an interest in Verve Super. When considering financial returns, past performance is not indicative of future performance.
