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Financial abuse and exploitation: triage and getting help

Financial abuse occurs when an individual uses power, deception, or coercion to control another person's money, assets, or credit. It affects domestic partners, older adults, disabled individuals, and victims of targeted scams.

Do this now

  1. Secure your essential personal documents (passport, birth certificate, tax records, bank statements) in a hidden, safe location or with a trusted friend.
  2. Contact your bank or credit card issuers immediately to lock compromised accounts, change passwords, and request new account numbers.
  3. Place an emergency security freeze on your credit reports with major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to block unauthorized loans.
  4. Contact a professional advocate or confidential helpline (such as Adult Protective Services, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, or local legal aid).
  5. Open an independent bank account at a completely different financial institution, using a safe email address that the abuser cannot access.

Recognizing signs of financial abuse

Financial control often develops gradually and takes several forms:

  • Intimate partner control: Preventing you from holding a job, withholding money for basic necessities (food, medicine), taking your paycheck, or forcing you to account for every cent spent.
  • Elder financial exploitation: Caregivers, family members, or strangers pressuring an older adult to sign power of attorney documents, alter wills, or transfer property titles.
  • Coerced debt: Forcing you to take out loans, open credit cards, or sign contracts in your name under threat of physical harm or intimidation.
  • Financial isolation: Restricting access to bank accounts, tax returns, or joint asset documentation.

Immediate triage and securing your financial independence

Taking small, safe steps can restore financial control:

  • Audit account access: Check online banking security settings. Change password recovery phone numbers and email addresses to a secure device.
  • Gather evidence: Take photographs or make digital copies of bank statements, tax records, property titles, and loan documents.
  • Check credit reports: Request a free credit report to identify fraudulent accounts, unknown credit cards, or unauthorized address changes.
  • Secure mail delivery: Redirect financial mail and bank statements to a post office box or the address of a trusted family member.

Professional support and resources

Reaching out to professional organizations provides legal protections and social assistance:

  • Adult Protective Services (APS): In many countries, APS investigates elder abuse and protects vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.
  • Domestic Violence Hotlines: Intimate partner financial abuse is covered by domestic violence agencies. Call 1-800-799-7233 (US) or 0808 2000 247 (UK) for free, confidential guidance.
  • Legal Aid Society: Free legal clinics can help contest coerced debt, obtain protective orders, and void fraudulent contracts.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): File formal complaints against predatory lenders or financial institutions failing to address unauthorized account access.