What Is Financial Abuse?
| Type |
Examples |
| Controlling access |
Blocking bank accounts, withholding cash |
| Employment interference |
Preventing work, causing job loss |
| Credit sabotage |
Running up debt in your name, ruining credit |
| Asset theft |
Taking money, forcing property transfer |
| Financial monitoring |
Excessive surveillance of spending |
| Coerced debt |
Demanding you take on debt |
Warning Signs of Financial Abuse
Access and Control
| Warning Sign |
What It Looks Like |
| No account access |
Passwords changed, accounts hidden |
| Allowance system |
Given limited money, must account for every dollar |
| Permission required |
Need approval for any purchase |
| No financial information |
Not shown bills, statements, or account balances |
| Cards taken |
Credit/debit cards removed |
Employment and Income
| Warning Sign |
What It Looks Like |
| Prevented from working |
Sabotaging job interviews, creating barriers |
| Forced to quit |
Harassment at work, childcare unavailable |
| Income confiscated |
Paycheques taken or controlled |
| Career sabotage |
Undermining professional reputation |
Debt and Credit
| Warning Sign |
What It Looks Like |
| Debt in your name |
Loans, credit cards you didn’t apply for |
| Coerced signatures |
Forced to sign financial documents |
| Damaged credit |
Late payments, collections you didn’t know about |
| Joint account abuse |
Draining shared accounts |
Exploitation
| Warning Sign |
What It Looks Like |
| Identity theft |
Using your information for accounts |
| Property theft |
Stealing belongings, selling your assets |
| Benefit fraud |
Claiming your benefits |
| Financial secrets |
Hidden accounts, undisclosed debts |
How to Protect Yourself
Safety First
| Priority |
Action |
| Personal safety |
Financial steps should not endanger you |
| Safety plan |
Work with a domestic violence organization |
| Document carefully |
Keep evidence in a safe place |
| Be cautious |
Abusers may monitor devices/accounts |
Financial Protection Steps
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Open a separate bank account (safe address) |
| 2 |
Get your credit report |
| 3 |
Know what you own and owe |
| 4 |
Keep copies of documents |
| 5 |
Build an emergency fund |
| 6 |
Secure important ID documents |
Opening a Safe Bank Account
| Consideration |
Details |
| Different bank |
From any joint accounts |
| Safe address |
Shelter, trusted friend, PO Box |
| Online statements only |
No paper trail |
| Password protect |
Do not share |
| Consider |
Keeping balance small initially |
Getting Your Credit Report
| Action |
Why |
| Request from Equifax and TransUnion |
See all accounts |
| Review for unknown accounts |
Identify fraud |
| Check for unauthorized inquiries |
Identity theft sign |
| Set up credit monitoring |
Alert to new activity |
Free credit reports: Equifax.ca, TransUnion.ca
Document Everything
| Document |
Where to Keep |
| Bank statements |
Safe location (shelter, trusted person) |
| Tax returns |
Copies |
| Property documents |
Deeds, titles |
| Bills and statements |
Joint and individual |
| Screenshots |
Of shared accounts |
Canadian Resources
Crisis Support
| Organization |
Contact |
| Assaulted Women’s Helpline (Ontario) |
1-866-863-0511 |
| BC Society of Transition Houses |
1-800-563-0808 |
| Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters |
1-866-331-3933 |
| ShelterSafe.ca |
Find local shelters |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline |
1-800-799-7233 |
Financial Help
| Resource |
Help Available |
| Financial Consumer Agency of Canada |
Free financial information |
| Credit counselling (non-profit) |
Debt help, budgeting |
| Legal Aid |
Free legal assistance (income-based) |
| Provincial victims services |
Emergency funds |
Legal Protections
Your Rights
| Right |
Details |
| Own money is yours |
Even in marriage |
| Joint accounts |
Equal access legally |
| Credit in your name |
You’re responsible for your debts only |
| Employment |
Cannot be legally prevented |
| Information |
Entitled to know about family finances |
Legal Actions
| Action |
When to Consider |
| Separation |
Family law governs asset division |
| Peace bond/restraining order |
For protection |
| Report fraud |
If identity stolen |
| File police report |
For theft |
Credit Protection
| Action |
How |
| Freeze credit |
Contact Equifax and TransUnion |
| Fraud alert |
Let creditors know |
| Dispute unauthorized accounts |
In writing to credit bureaus |
| Report identity theft |
To Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre |
Building Financial Independence
Short-Term Steps
| Action |
Details |
| Secure safe money |
Even small amounts |
| Access to income |
Direct deposit to safe account |
| Essential documents |
ID, SIN, birth certificate |
| Budget basics |
Know minimum monthly needs |
Longer-Term Steps
| Action |
Details |
| Employment |
Find or maintain work |
| Credit rebuilding |
Start with secured card if needed |
| Financial education |
Free programs available |
| Professional support |
Community organizations |
Emergency Fund Goal
| Timeframe |
Target |
| Immediate |
$500-1,000 (start anywhere) |
| Short-term |
1 month expenses |
| Goal |
3-6 months expenses |
Technology Safety
Digital Security
| Risk |
Protection |
| Shared devices |
New email, change passwords |
| Tracking software |
Check phone for spyware |
| Location services |
Turn off when safe |
| Account monitoring |
Use incognito/private browsing |
Financial Account Safety
| Action |
Why |
| New passwords |
Don’t reuse old ones |
| Security questions |
Answers abuser wouldn’t know |
| Two-factor authentication |
Extra security |
| Safe email |
For financial accounts |
Getting Help: Next Steps
| If you are… |
Consider… |
| In immediate danger |
Call 911 |
| Need to talk |
Call helpline |
| Planning to leave |
Contact shelter/DV organization |
| Already left |
Access community resources |
| Rebuilding |
Financial counselling |
You are not alone. Financial abuse is real, and help is available.