Signs of financial and material abuse
Here are some of the signs to look out for if you suspect you or someone you know is being financially abused.
- Change in living conditions, which can include lack of heating, clothing or food
- Inability to pay bills/unexplained shortage of money
- Unexplained withdrawals from an account
- Unexplained loss/misplacement of financial documents
- The recent addition of authorised signers on a client’s or donor’s signature card
- Sudden or unexpected changes in a Will or other financial documents
- Unexpected changes/renovations to the adult’s home
- Transferring financial liabilities into an adult’s name
- Workmen visiting to complete unplanned and or seemingly unnecessary building/garden work
- Sudden new friends/acquaintances taking trips together, making joint financial commitments or planning to move in
Other warning signs linked to domestic abuse
- Refusing to contribute to household or other costs, including child maintenance payments
- Transferring financial liabilities into a victim’s name
- Not contributing to joint bills
- Getting the victim to take out credit
- The abuser using all joint resources
- The abuser controlling access to the victim’s income, banking or savings
- The abuser controlling or interfering with the adult’s benefits