Free help if someone pressures you over money

If someone is controlling your money, forcing you into debt or repeatedly demanding cash, you can get free, confidential help and you do not have to pay for it. Debt advice from charities such as StepChange, National Debtline, Business Debtline and Advice NI costs nothing, and getting advice will not affect your credit file or credit score¹.

Economic abuse is more common than many people realise. UK Finance estimates that 1 in 5 UK adults has experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner⁴. It can include a partner or family member taking out credit in your name, making you buy things on credit you did not want, or putting bills in your name without telling you⁵.

Banks are expected to help. Nationwide, for example, says it can help customers whose finances are being controlled or who are stopped from using their money⁶. Under the Standards of Lending Practice, firms should not harass you or put too much pressure on you, should tell you how to get debt advice, and should support you if you are vulnerable⁷.

What counts as financial pressure or economic abuse

Economic abuse is a pattern of control over money. It includes a partner or family member taking out credit in your name, such as a mortgage, loan or credit card; making you buy something on credit you did not want; putting bills in your name; doing any of this without your consent, without telling you, or after you asked them not to; or threatening you to make you do things⁵.

It is not only partners. A family member, carer or someone helping you manage your money can also apply pressure. Where someone is managing money for another adult, the same risks apply, and there are formal arrangements that set out what a helper can and cannot do¹¹.

Pressure also comes from sellers and lenders. If you were misled or pressured into buying something you did not want, you may have rights to a refund or compensation. For a service or item costing £5,000 or more, where you paid more than the going market price and have clear evidence, there is a route to claim. You can also claim for reasonable extra expenses, such as a delivery charge, with receipts as evidence¹².

The law is shifting. In England and Wales, a consultation is seeking views on whether domestic abuse, including coercive control and economic abuse, should be given greater weight in family court financial decisions¹³.

Free, confidential help: who to contact

Every main debt charity offers free advice, and none of it requires you to pay. StepChange says getting advice will not affect your credit file or impact your credit score¹. National Debtline offers free advice to help you find a solution for your situation³. Business Debtline offers free, confidential advice by phone². Advice NI runs a free and confidential debt helpline¹⁴.

If you owe money to HMRC, free, confidential and independent advice is available from a debt adviser¹⁵. Debt advice is available free of charge, and paying for it is not necessary¹⁶. Advice Now states plainly: never pay for debt advice, because there are specialist debt charities who can help for free¹⁸.

MoneyHelper offers free, non-judgemental, confidential support, including for people affected by scams¹⁹. It also provides money guidance that is impartial and free to use, online or over the phone²⁰.

For people in Northern Ireland, Advice NI offers free and professional advice and assistance on debt and a range of benefit issues, with factsheets and money management tools²¹. Advice NI's Money Talks service can be reached on freephone 0800 915 4604, by email at advice@adviceni.net, or by texting 'ACTION' to 81025²².

For people in Scotland, free advice services can help²³. For people in Wales, help is available through the same national charities and local services²⁴.

Protecting your bank accounts and money

Banks should help if you suspect financial abuse²⁵. Nationwide says it can help customers whose finances are being controlled or who are stopped from using their money⁶. Virgin Money offers free, confidential money and debt advice, including support for domestic abuse, through Money Advice Plus²⁶. Santander provides information and support for victim-survivors of economic or financial abuse²⁷.

There are practical steps you can take. Keep your chequebook in a safe location and inform your bank of any missing or lost cheques²⁸. Remember that just because someone knows your personal information does not mean they are genuine²⁹. If someone asks you to lie to your bank, hang up, because this is a scam⁹.

If someone tries to rush or pressure you into accepting their services, you can say no and refuse, or say you need time to think about it³⁰. Your money is not protected unless you pay by credit card or Direct Debit³¹.

Debts taken out in your name under pressure

If your name is on the contract, you can be chased for the money, even if your relationship with the other person has changed⁸. That is the starting position, and it applies to joint debts as well as debts in your name alone.

But there are routes to challenge this. If you were put under pressure by another person, for example by a partner, to sign a loan agreement, or were misled by a lender, you may be able to challenge responsibility for the loan³³. If an ex-partner applies for a debt in your name without telling you, report it to the police¹⁴.

Watch for the signs of coerced debt. These include a partner or family member taking out credit in your name, making you buy something on credit you did not want, putting bills in your name, doing so without consent or without telling you, or threatening you to do things⁵. If you receive letters in your name from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that are not yours, that is a sign of identity theft³⁴.

Creditors are not allowed to pressure you to pay off a debt by borrowing more money⁷. It is unfair practice for creditors to pressure you into paying more money outside of a debt management plan, and you can make a complaint against them if they do this²².

If you have received court papers or a priority creditor is pursuing you, free professional help is available³⁵. Debt advice is available free of charge, and paying for it is not necessary¹⁶.

If you are in danger or being threatened

Call the police on 999 if you feel threatened or in danger⁹. This applies whether the threat comes from someone you know or a stranger at your door.

If your home is at risk, early legal advice is free no matter what your income is¹⁰. Shelter offers help with missed mortgage payments and can point you to debt advice¹⁰. A needs assessment is also free and can identify anything you may need help with³⁷.

Lifeline provides a free helpline for anyone experiencing distress or despair³⁸. If you are in crisis, there is support available³⁸.

For people in Northern Ireland, Advice NI offers free and professional advice and assistance on debt and benefits²¹. For people in Scotland, free advice services can help²³. For people in Wales, help is available through national charities and local services²⁴.

Where to get help with debts and benefits

If you are struggling with debts, free advice is available from a range of organisations. StepChange, National Debtline, Business Debtline, Advice NI and Citizens Advice all offer free, confidential help¹. MoneyHelper provides free, impartial guidance online or by phone²⁰.

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to benefits or crisis support. Turn2us provides information on cost of living support³². Advice NI offers crisis support information³⁸. Local welfare funds may also be able to help³⁹.

If you are dealing with debt and your mental health is affected, Scope offers practical and emotional advice²⁵. If you are managing money for someone else, Scope also has guidance on doing so safely¹¹.

For people in Scotland, Shelter Scotland provides money help and debt advice²³. For people in Northern Ireland, Advice NI and nidirect provide guidance on debt management plans, informal arrangements and consolidating debts⁴⁰.