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Financial Exploitation/Abuse

Financial exploitation/abuse is when someone takes or controls another person's money, property, or belongings without their permission. It can happen to anyone, but older people and vulnerable adults are particularly at risk.

Under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a legal duty to act if:

  • a person has care and support needs (whether or not they are receiving services), and
  • they are experiencing, or at risk of, financial abuse, and
  • they are unable to protect themselves from the abuse or the risk of it

This means that if someone is being financially abused and cannot protect themselves, the local authority must look into the situation and take steps to keep them safe.

Types of financial abuse

Financial abuse can take many forms, including:

  • theft - taking money or belongings without permission
  • fraud - using deception to gain access to someone's finances
  • scams - tricking someone into giving away money or personal information (often online or by phone)
  • pressure or coercion - forcing someone to change their will, sign documents, or give away money
  • misuse of power of attorney - using legal authority to benefit oneself rather than the person it's meant to protect
  • withholding money - controlling how someone spends their own money or denying them access to it
  • misuse of benefits - taking or using someone's benefits for personal gain

Who might be responsible

Sadly, financial abuse is often carried out by people the victim knows and trusts. This can include:

  • family members
  • friends or neighbours
  • people in positions of trust - for example, carers, support workers, or legal and financial advisors - whether paid or unpaid.
  • strangers - especially in scams or fraud

Increasingly, abusers may pretend to be someone they are not, using fake identities or impersonating trusted individuals. With the rise of AI-generated content, such as realistic voices, photos, and documents, it is becoming easier for fraudsters to deceive victims, particularly online or over the phone. This makes it even more important to stay cautious and verify who you're really speaking to.
 

Spotting the signs

Look out for:

  • unexplained withdrawals or bank activity
  • sudden changes in financial documents (like wills or property deeds)
  • bills not being paid
  • a person appearing anxious, confused, or secretive about money
  • a new person becoming overly involved in someone's finances

What you can do

If you're worried someone is being financially abused:

  • talk to them gently and ask if they're okay
  • encourage them to speak to someone they trust
  • suggest they don't make quick decisions about money
  • help them report scams or suspicious activity

Report your concern to the Safeguarding Adults Team.

In an emergency, call 999. If it's not an emergency but you suspect a crime, call 101.

 

Helpful resources

Report Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. It provides a secure way for the public to report scams, fraud, and online crime, and offers advice on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim. You can report incidents online or by phone, and access up-to-date information on common scams.

Financial abuse: what is it? (Age UK) offers clear, practical advice for older people and their families on how to recognise, prevent, and respond to financial abuse. It explains common warning signs, real-life examples, and where to get confidential help and support.

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential, and impartial advice to help people resolve legal, financial, housing, and consumer issues. It's a trusted source for understanding your rights and finding practical support across a wide range of everyday problems.

Friends Against Scams helps people understand, spot, and prevent scams. It offers free training, resources, and support to empower individuals and communities to take a stand against fraud and protect those most at risk.

Financial abuse (Hourglass) explains how financial abuse affects older people, especially when someone in a position of trust interferes with their ability to manage money or assets. It outlines common warning signs, such as sudden changes to bank accounts or wills, and offers guidance on recognising and responding to abuse, with a focus on protecting older adults from harm.

The National Trading Standards website outlines how they protect consumers and supports businesses across England and Wales. It provides information on tackling scams, doorstep crime, e-crime, and other trading standards issues through national teams and local authority partnerships, while also offering updates on enforcement priorities and consumer protection initiatives.

Advice about fraud (Thames Valley Police) offers practical guidance on how to recognise, prevent, and report personal fraud. It includes the "Ten Golden Rules" to avoid scams, highlights common fraud tactics, and encourages victims to report incidents without shame, reinforcing that anyone can be targeted.

The Little Book of Big Scams is a practical guide from Metropolitan Police that helps individuals recognise and avoid common types of fraud.

 

 

Economic abuse, money laundering and financial control

Economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse where someone controls another person's ability to get, use, or keep money and resources. It can leave victims feeling trapped, isolated, and unable to make independent choices. This type of abuse often happens alongside emotional or physical abuse and can continue even after a relationship ends.
 

What does economic abuse look like?

Economic abuse can include:

  • controlling access to money or bank accounts
  • stopping someone from working or sabotaging their job
  • running up debts in someone else's name
  • taking control of benefits or pensions
  • monitoring spending or demanding receipts for every purchase

The link to money laundering

In some cases, economic abuse is connected to criminal activity, such as money laundering. Vulnerable adults and even children may be coerced into moving or holding illegal money in their bank accounts. This can happen through:

  • fake job offers or "quick cash" schemes
  • pressure from someone they trust
  • threats or manipulation

Helpful resources

 

 

Romance fraud

Romance fraud happens when someone pretends to be in a genuine relationship, often online, with the goal of gaining trust and then exploiting the victim financially. These scams can be emotionally manipulative and deeply damaging.

Fraudsters may:

  • build a relationship over weeks or months
  • use emotional stories to ask for money or gifts
  • claim to be in love quickly and discourage contact with others
  • use fake photos, identities, or even AI-generated voices and images to appear more convincing

With the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, these scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. People who are isolated or seeking companionship may be especially vulnerable.

Warning signs

  • they avoid video calls or meeting in person
  • they ask for money for emergencies, travel, or medical bills
  • they pressure the person to keep the relationship secret
  • they seem too good to be true or move the relationship along very quickly

How to stay safe

  • never send money to someone you haven't met in person
  • be cautious of anyone who asks you to keep your relationship secret
  • use reverse image searches to check if profile photos appear elsewhere online
  • be cautious of being asked to move contact off the initial meeting platform as they want access to you 24/7
  • be cautious of late night/early hours communication which is intended to harm your decision-making processes by making you sleep deprived
  • be cautious of intense declarations of love early in a relationship
  • talk to friends or family if something feels off, isolation is a key tactic used by fraudsters
  • report suspicious behaviour, you are not alone, and it's not your fault

Helpful resources

 

 

Predatory marriage

Predatory marriage is when someone marries a vulnerable adult, often with reduced mental capacity or cognitive impairment,with the intention of gaining access to their money, property, or inheritance. It is a hidden and manipulative form of financial and emotional abuse.

Why it matters

In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes any existing will (under Section 18 of the Wills Act 1837). This means:

  • the new spouse may inherit everything, even if the relationship was brief
  • family and friends may be left with nothing
  • the marriage may only come to light after the person's death, making it difficult to challenge

Warning signs

  • the relationship moves very quickly or is kept secret
  • the person appears confused, isolated, or unsure about the marriage
  • the marriage takes place in another country or without family present
  • the person has dementia or cognitive impairment and may not fully understand what marriage means
  • there is a significant age gap or power imbalance
  • the person's will is changed or revoked shortly after the marriage

Capacity and consent

To legally marry, a person must have the mental capacity to:

  • understand what marriage is and what it means legally and emotionally
  • make the decision freely, without pressure or manipulation

Registrars are responsible for assessing capacity on the day of the marriage, but they may not have training in dementia or safeguarding. There is currently no legal requirement to notify a Power of Attorney if the person marries, and no formal record (like video or audio) is kept of the consent process.

What can be done

If you are concerned about someone:

  • talk to them gently and ask if they understand the relationship and its consequences
  • raise concerns with the local registrar before the marriage takes place
  • report it to Adult Social Care or the police if you believe the person is being exploited
  • seek legal advice families may be able to apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order
  • contact safeguarding charities for support and guidance

Helpful resources

  • My Marriage My Choice provides resources and training to help prevent forced, unlawful, or predatory marriages involving vulnerable individuals
  • Predatory Marriage UK aims to raise awareness of predatory marriage, where a vulnerable adult is manipulated into marriage for financial gain

 

 

Financial abuse/exploitation by family, friends or people in a position of trust

Financial abuse doesn't always come from strangers. In fact, it is often carried out by people the victim knows and trusts such as family members, friends, carers, or professionals in positions of authority. This type of abuse can be subtle, long-term, and emotionally complex.

What does this abuse look like?

Abuse by someone close may include:

  • taking control of someone's money or property without permission
  • misusing a Power of Attorney or other legal authority
  • withholding money, benefits, or access to financial accounts
  • pressuring someone to change their will or sign documents
  • using threats, guilt, or emotional manipulation to gain financial advantage
  • neglecting care needs while continuing to access the person's finances

In many cases, the abuse is hidden behind a facade of care or support. Victims may feel conflicted, ashamed, or afraid to speak out, especially if they rely on the abuser for daily help or companionship.

Coercion, control and grooming

The Icon for pdf National Trading Standards Scams Team [1MB]  highlights how coercive control, commonly seen in domestic abuse,is also a key feature of financial abuse:

  • grooming: building trust through flattery, gifts, or emotional dependency
  • isolation: cutting the victim off from friends, family, or professionals
  • gaslighting: making the victim doubt their memory or judgement
  • love bombing: overwhelming the victim with attention to gain control
  • emotional blackmail: using guilt or fear to manipulate decisions

These tactics can make it extremely difficult for victims to recognise abuse or seek help.

Real-life example

Icon for pdf Daniel's Story [497KB]

Daniel, an older man with physical and cognitive disabilities, was financially abused by a woman who falsely claimed to be his niece. She controlled his finances, neglected his care, and misled professionals. Daniel's case shows how abuse by someone in a position of trust can go unnoticed or unchallenged.

Where to get help