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Financial Abuse

Need assistance?
Credit & Debt Legal Advice Line
1800 844 949
National Debt Helpline
1800 007 007
Have you have been forced into taking loans you don’t need or can’t afford? Let us help you untangle yourself from debts in your name that are not yours. Choose from the fact sheets below to help understand the options to manage your situation. Even where there are joint loans or debts in your name that were taken out as a result of economic abuse or without your knowledge – you still have options. Call Financial Rights for free financial counselling or legal help.
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Alanna’s Story: Financial abuse business loan guarantee

We assisted Alanna, a woman in her mid-thirties escaping an abusive relationship. She had been pressured during the relationship to guarantee a business loan for the perpetrator’s company. The loan was in default when she came to us, and she became aware of her ongoing obligation and risk as a guarantor.

This matter was complex as it was not regulated by the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 as it was for a genuine business purpose, and was not covered by any industry codes of practice. Alanna was at risk of the ongoing impact of this debt following her for many years to come. We raised an unconscionable conduct dispute based on the circumstances of entry and she was successfully released from the guarantee.

woman dealing with abuse

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When to get help

Read through the fact sheets below and use the sample letters selected. Recognising financial abuse and trying to do something about it can be overwhelming. But you are not alone. Give us a call if you don’t know where to start or can’t find a solution for your problem. You may have recently left an abusive partner, and discovered some of these problems:

  • You were pressured into signing onto loans you didn’t want, or for your partner’s use
  • Your partner controlled where your money went, or limited your access to your money
  • Your ex-partner used your mobile phone to sign you up to loans you didn’t want
  • There are debt collectors at your door for a debt you don’t remember.
  • You are paying for a car loan or for tolls when your ex-partner has the car.
  • Your credit report is a mess from the abuse.

Fact Sheets

Find out more information from our Fact Sheets below.

Sample Letters

Find out more information from our Sample Letters below.

Financial Counselling Australia coordinates the National Debt Helpline (NDH), which consists of a national phone service operating under the 1800 007 007 number and is complemented by the NDH website. 

Financial Rights is one of two services in NSW that answers the NDH. If you are struggling with debt, you can talk to a free financial counsellor over the phone on 1800 007 007.

NDH is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. It is not a lender and does not ‘sell’ anything or make money from you. The NDH professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.

NDH is here to help you get back on track

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The service officer handled my situation with dignity and respect by taking the time and guiding me through a very scary situation and helped me regain my independence by explaining my rights and services available to me. Followed up when they had said they would which lowered the anxiety and I did not have to repeat my traumatic experiences which is refreshing.