Financial abuse
Find out more about criminal influence, to ensure you’re in control of your financial purse strings.
What is financial abuse?
If anyone - including your partner, spouse, friend, carer or relative - is controlling your finances without your knowledge (or against your will), it's financial abuse. It's a crime and should be reported.
How to spot financial abuse
If someone is trying to manipulate, coerce, influence, undermine, check up on or control any of the following, ask yourself ‘why?’ If there’s a valid reason such as illness, vulnerability or genuine concern, that’s fine. If not, you need to question their motives. Most importantly, take action.
Work
No one should insist you should stop working if you don’t want to. Talk to someone you trust.
Your bank accounts / credit cards
If someone has access to your account and you’re not happy with the situation, talk to your bank or building society. Check your balances and credit status regularly.
Debt
If someone is running up a debt in your name or looking at your finances without your consent it might be a crime. Monitor your finances closely.
Savings
If someone has taken these without permission, you need to seek help. Keep track of your savings.
Will
It’s your will and any attempt to change it against your wishes is against the law.
Helpful resources
Seek help. If you’re concerned about your Fidelity account, call us on 0800 358 7712. Alternatively contact your bank, credit card company and the local police on the non-emergency phone number 101. You might want to take a look at these too.
MoneyHelper
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Other threats to watch out for
Suspicious emails, texts and phone calls
Learn how to spot a fraudulent email, text or phone call, so you’re not reeled in.
Investment scams
Be wise. Don’t fall prey to too-good-to-be-true, high-pressure, deadline-driven offers.
Pension fraud
All that glitters isn’t gold. Discover how to dig deeper and protect your pension with our tips.
Identity theft
Look beyond the disguise. Impersonation can be the first step to someone stealing your assets.
Deepfakes
Don’t believe everything you see or hear! Understand the tell-tale signs that could help you identify a deepfake.
