Domestic violence support

Financial abuse occurs when someone restricts your access to money, influences your financial decisions unfairly, or uses your money without permission. Understanding this can empower you to seek help and regain your financial independence.

Also, a form of domestic violence, financial abuse occurs against a backdrop of other types of abuse, such as physical or emotional. It can make you feel vulnerable, isolated, depressed, and anxious, eroding your sense of independence.

Anyone can experience financial abuse. The perpetrator might be a partner, family member, carer, or friend.

Elder abuse is a significant issue, too. Older individuals can be particularly susceptible due to their reliance on others to manage financial tasks and decisions.

Signs of a financially abusive person

A person can exhibit financial abuse in various ways. Some signs to watch for include:

Limiting your access to bank accounts, credit cards, or cash
Making you seek permission to spend your own money
Denying you from accessing the internet, phone or transportation to hinder your ability to work or study
Refusing to contribute to shared costs or child support
Not providing enough money for living expenses or costs relating to raising children.

Financial abuse may involve the misuse of your money without your knowledge or consent.

This can include:

Forging your signature on cheques
Withdrawing or transferring large amounts of money from your bank account
Using your credit card
Cancelling or hiding bank or credit card statements
Diverting bill, rent or mortgage money for other purposes
Selling your property without your consent.

Financial abuse can involve signing legal documents without your consent, such as forging your signature on legal documents, forcing you to sign papers you don’t understand, or taking out loans, credit cards, or other debts in your name without your permission. It may also include pressuring you to apply for a loan or debt on their behalf, forcing or coercing you to change your will, or to appoint them as your enduring power of attorney, or failing to act in your best interests as your power of attorney.

Financial abuse can involve threats or punishments to manipulate you. This may include making you feel guilty if you don’t give them money, isolating you or threatening to do so if you don’t comply. Additionally, they may belittle you, make you feel incompetent or untrustworthy with money, and frequently question or punish your spending decisions.

What support is available?

If you’re in danger, please call the police on 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, there are free services available

to help.

For confidential information, counselling, and support, call 1800RESPECT the national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling service at 1800 737 732. This free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text 0458 737 732, and if you require an interpreter, call 13 14 50.
Call 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) in cases of elder abuse. This free phone number automatically redirects you to the appropriate phone service in your state or territory. Please note that operating hours and services may vary.

How we can help

We offer multiple ways to reach out for a confidential discussion, including in-store visits,

and phone calls.

If you are impacted by domestic or family violence, can contact Community First's Enhanced Care Team at 1300 011 271 between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
Outside of these times you can reach us via our main contact centre on 1300 13 22 77 Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, or on Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm. You can also submit a request through the Call Back form on the Community First website, www.communityfirst.com.au

We may refer you to other counselling services and can also discuss your financial hardship options, especially if you have recently left a difficult situation. Please don’t hesitate to reach – we are here to help.

This information on this website is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs (your "personal circumstances"). Before deciding whether to buy any product on this website you should consider your personal circumstances. You should read and consider the Terms and Conditions when deciding to use any product (terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply). Our product Conditions of Use are available on this website.

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Community First Credit Union LimitedABN 80 087 649 938 | Operating as Community First Bank | AFSL and Australian credit licence 231204| BSB 512-170