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Help with financial, economic, and domestic abuse

If you are worried you might be a victim of financial or domestic abuse, we can help. This page features information to help you – or someone you know – in this situation. And if you need to speak to someone, our trusted team is here to confide in.

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Are you in immediate danger?

Please call the police on 999. If you cannot speak when the operator answers, press 55 to let them know you are in danger.

You can also call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Refuge run this free service. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Understanding domestic abuse

Domestic abuse takes many forms. It might be a one-off, or it might be a pattern of behaviour over time. In most cases, a partner or ex-partner commits the domestic abuse. But family members or carers can also be guilty of carrying it out.

Examples of domestic abuse include:

  • Controlling, intimidating, degrading, or isolating someone.
  • Psychological or emotional abuse. This might include manipulating a person or undermining their self-worth.
  • Physical or sexual abuse – including the threat of physical or sexual violence.
  • Financial or economic abuse.
  • Harassing, stalking, or persistently giving unwanted attention to someone.
  • Online or digital abuse that harms, controls, or harasses the victim.
  • Gaslighting someone. This is where the abuser makes the victim doubt their own reality, memory, or perceptions.

It is important to stress: these examples are not exhaustive. You, or someone you know, might be experiencing other circumstances that count as domestic abuse.

There are all sorts of ways domestic abuse can impact the victim – mental, physical, social, and financial. The victim is not always the only person to feel the effects either. Their children and other family members could suffer too.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, there are organisations that can provide support.

Domestic abuse is never okay. We are here to help you find a way forward.

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Understanding financial and economic abuse

If someone else is controlling your money, you might be a victim of financial and economic abuse.

Using your money

Someone might be dictating how you spend or access your money.

Earning money

Someone might stop you earning money by not letting you work or study.

Making money choices

Someone may make financial decisions without you having a say.

If this sounds like your situation, or you know of someone experiencing this, it could be a case of financial and economic abuse.

As a first step, you can get more information and practical steps by downloading the UK Finance – It's your money guide [PDF].

You might also find this short video from Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) helpful. SEA is a UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and responding to it.

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Keeping your money safe

It’s important you take steps to keep your finances safe. There are things you can do. 

Before taking action, it’s important to be careful when taking steps to keep your money safe. If your abuser is monitoring your online activity, they may notice what you’re doing, and this could make them more abusive.

6 practical steps to keep your money safe

Never share your Skipton password with anyone

The same is true of any banking passwords or card PINs you have.

Change your password or PIN often

We recommend changing them at least every three months, even if you think your abuser does not know them.

Receive your mortgage or bank statements online

If you think someone is opening your Skipton letters, you can also ask us to send them elsewhere to a safe address. Other organisations may also let you do this.

Open a new account that is only in your name

This helps you separate and manage your money independently.

Remove your abuser as a named account holder

Take them off credit cards or joint accounts. You should especially do this if they are building up debts in your name. If this is not an option, speak to your bank or lender to understand what else they can do.

Check your credit file

Look out for mortgages, loans, overdrafts, store cards, and credit cards that the abuser may have taken out in your name or against your property. If there is anything you did not apply for, contact the provider as soon as it is safe.

Other support

As well as our tips, Refuge can help you plan to keep your money safe. You can call them on 080 2000 247 for 24-hour support.

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How Skipton can help you

Our highly trained colleagues are here to offer you friendly, confidential support.

We understand it might be difficult to talk about your situation. This is why we will go at your pace. We will listen to what you have to say. And we will make sure we understand everything you want to share with us.

We can assist with:

  • Reviewing payments going in and out of your accounts.
  • Resetting the login details for your Skipton App and Skipton Online.
  • Updating your contact details and how we safely reach you.
  • Sending your statements and letters to a different address.
  • Explaining your options if you have a joint account.
  • Opening a new account in your name only.
  • Helping you deal with any mortgage debts.
  • Offering you longer appointments on the phone. Or, if you are in one of our branches, discussing your situation in a separate, safe room.
  • Signposting other organisations who could help to keep you safe.

Contact us or visit your local branch to speak to a trusted colleague. Or use the form on this page.

Remember - you are not alone, and we are here for you.

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Letting us know how to safely contact you

We understand it might not be easy to speak to us. You can use our online form to tell us when and how we can safely contact you.

Our specialist team will reach out when you ask us to. We can help you take practical steps to keep your money safe – and take back control of your finances.

Please note the contact will show in your internet browser history. So you might need to use a secure device that your abuser does not have access to.

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Other organisations that can support you

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, there are many organisations who can help. Find out more here.

Refuge is the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse charity. It provides support to thousands of women and their children every day, so they can escape abuse and rebuild their lives — free from fear.

One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Every two minutes, someone turns to Refuge for help. It provides lifesaving support through its refuge accommodation and community services.

Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A live chat service is also available from 10am to 10pm, Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 6pm on weekends.

For further information and advice, visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk. For support with tech-facilitated abuse, visit www.refugetechsafety.org. 

To find out what to expect when calling Refuge's Helpline, watch Refuge's Helpline short YouTube video. Please note, this video may show on your YouTube history.

Men’s Advice Line is a national confidential helpline, email, and web chat service for men including anyone who identifies as trans and non-binary who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, and for those supporting them: concerned friends or family members or frontline workers assisting victims. We offer emotional support, advice, information, and signpost to other vital services that help victims keep themselves (and their children) safe.

Respect Phoneline is a national confidential helpline, email and webchat service for anyone who’s concerned about their use of violence and abuse in relationships, and for those supporting them: friends or family members and frontline staff. We support all genders using abuse in same-sex or heterosexual relationships to take steps towards change.

Hourglass is the UK’s only charity focused on the abuse and neglect of older people. Support is available for older men, women and their families who are suffering from abuse. This includes domestic, physical, psychological, economic, sexual, and neglect abuse.

It is free to call the Hourglass helpline on 0808 808 8141. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can learn more about all the support on offer at www.wearehourglass.org.

Bright Sky is a safe, easy-to-use app. It has a range of support tools if you are in an abusive relationship or are worried about someone you know.

The app offers a unique UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse support services. You will also find information and resources to help you or someone you know at risk.

You can download the Bright Sky app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. It is available in five languages.

For further information visit www.uk.bright-sky.org.

SEA is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it.

The SEA website also lists other helplines if you are in immediate danger. Or if you need more specialist support, for example with debt.

PayPlan offers free debt solutions. This includes free debt management plans and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (or IVAs).

Visit PayPlan's Financial Wellbeing Hub at www.payplan.com/financial-wellbeing.

Specialist support begins by visiting www.payplan.com/cr/skipton-web.

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