Being in debt can be extremely worrying, especially if the debt has been caused by an abusive partner.
This page provides information about debt that has been caused by an abusive partner or ex-partner or that you have been forced to take on because of the abuse. It also includes information about how you can access support.
On this page
What is coerced debt?
‘Coerced debt’ is when an abusive partner or ex-partner forces you to take on debt when you do not want to. It is a form of coercive and controlling behaviour that is a criminal offence.
To coerce you into debt, the abuser may have:
- forced you, threatened you, or made you feel too scared to say no to taking on the debt
- given you incorrect information that affected your decision to take on the debt
- taken on the debt in your name without you knowing about it
- stolen money so you had no choice but to borrow money to pay for essentials.
If you have been coerced into debt by an abusive partner or ex-partner, you are not alone. Coerced debt is very common.
Our research found that in the last year, one in four victim-survivors experienced a current or ex-partner taking out credit in their name without their consent or because they were scared to say no.
This form of abuse has a devastating impact on victim-survivors, causing financial hardship and damaging their credit rating which makes it harder for them to rebuild their lives. There are solutions to coerced debt and you can find out about your support options below.
Types of coerced debt
An abuser may have coerced you into debt in the following ways:
- making you take out a credit card or loan when you did not want to
- making you use credit to buy something on when you did not want to
- taking out a loan, mortgage or credit card in your name
- using your credit card or other sources of credit in your name, such as an overdraft
- putting bills in your name, including car finance agreements, mobile phone contracts or catalogue payments
- forcing you into a position where you fall behind on repayments or need to use credit to pay for essentials, for example by stealing from you, taking your wages or making you buy things.
An abuser may have used threatening behaviour to force you into debt in any of these ways. For example, the abuser may have used emotional abuse or the threat of physical or sexual abuse to make you take on debt. They may have made you feel scared in some way to refuse their demands.
The impact of coerced debt
An abuser may have forced you into debt to gain power and control over you.
You may be spending any money you have on paying back debts they coerced you into. This can result in you not having enough money to pay for essentials and may make it harder for you to leave.
The abuser may have kept information about the debt hidden from you, including how much you owe and when you need to pay. Without this information, you may miss repayments. This can damage your credit score, making it harder for you to take out credit in the future.
The impact of coerced debt may feel overwhelming, but there is support available to you. You can find out about your support options below.
Coerced debt and technology
Online banking has made managing finances easier. For example, you can apply for credit online, often using a banking app. However, this can make it easier for an abuser to force you to take on debt. Online banking makes it much harder for a lender to know if someone is being forced to take out credit.
Visit Refuge’s Tech Safety website to find out more information about what steps you can take to being safe online, including how to secure your accounts and devices.
Support for coerced debt
If an abuser has coerced you into debt, you may feel trapped. You may be worried about what will happen if you take action to deal with the debt. But there may be options to help you.
A qualified money adviser can offer support and talk you through the options that you may have. The right option for you will depend on your circumstances.
The Financial Support Line for Victims of Domestic Abuse, run by Money Advice Plus, is a specialist service that offers advice to anyone experiencing domestic abuse who is in financial difficulty. You can find out how to call the Financial Support Line on the Money Advice Plus website here.
We have more information on organisations that you can contact for support from a qualified money adviser here.
Last updated February 2025.
Further support
If you are experiencing economic abuse, you are not alone. We have more information that can support you to take steps towards safety and begin to regain control of your finances.
