Family violence and financial abuse

Family Violence can affect anyone and it often goes hand in hand with financial abuse. You’re not alone, help is available.

Do you need help right now?

Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger.

1800 RESPECT are available 24/7 to provide free counselling support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.

Our Extra Care team are available to work with you to understand your situation and help you take steps to protect yourself 1300 023 583, 8:30 - 5:00pm Mon-Fri (AEST/AEDT)

Need an interpreter?

Recognising family violence and financial abuse

Family Violence can affect anyone, and it often goes hand in hand with financial abuse. You’re not alone, and help is available. Bendigo Bank is committed to supporting you.

Family Violence isn’t just physical harm; it's about power and control within family or intimate partner relationships. It can be emotional, financial, sexual, or even threats of these things.

It often involves someone trying to scare you, make you feel small, or keep you from having a life outside the relationship. This abuse can continue even after leaving the family situation.

Here are some common signs of family violence and financial abuse:

Controlling you or your finances

Can include being denied access to your own money, having financial decisions made for you, being prevented from earning or forced to work without pay, having your spending monitored, or receiving abusive messages through payment descriptions.

Pressure and Coercion

Being pressured into sharing accounts, opening joint accounts or loans, forced to cover someone else’s expenses, or threatened with harm if you don’t comply with financial demands.

Misuse of your identity

Discovering credit cards, loans or other debts taken out in your name without your knowledge or consent.

Steps you can take to protect yourself

Review your finances

Use your statements to identify any unusual spending on your accounts.

e-statements

Need to change passwords or PINs?

You can update your e-Banking passwords, or change PINs on debit or credit cards.

Protect my card

Change e-Banking passwords

Update your contact details

Call 1300 236 344 or visit your nearest branch to make sure your address and phone contact details are up to date.

Contact the police

If you are experiencing financial abuse, you can contact the police.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

What we can do to help

We are here for you. When you talk to us, we are committed to protecting your safety and confidentiality.

Regain control of your account

We can review access to your accounts, including any third-party authorities or Power of Attorney.

Establish safeguards

We can set limitis or card controls in place to limit spending.

If you have a joint account, we can protect money by changing the account authority so that all account holders have to approve withdrawals.

Separate finances

We will assist to secure your accounts and can set up a separate account for you.

Tailored support

We will work with you and your circumstances to find appropriate solutions.

Extra Care Team

You can call our Extra Care team who will work with you to understand your situation and help you take steps to protect yourself.

1300 023 583, 8:30 - 5:00pm Mon-Fri (AEST/AEDT

Help with loan repayments

Talk to us early if you’re in or have left an unsafe situation and are facing financial hardship – we offer support options for situations like missed repayments or a decrease in income.

Financial difficulty assistance

Help outside banking

Sometimes, you will need additional help. Explore these resources for expert guidance and support outside of banking.

Quick Exit