Confidential help is available 24/7
Call 1800 RESPECT to speak to someone today.
Providing extra care to our vulnerable customers.
Beyond Bank recognises the diverse needs and challenges faced by our customers, particularly those who are vulnerable. Every individual deserves access to reliable financial services and support, regardless of their circumstances. We provide extra care to our customers who need it most, supporting them to safely and confidently achieve financial independence.
Domestic and family violence.
What is domestic and family violence?
Domestic violence is a complex pattern of behaviours that may include physical acts of violence, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
Family violence is a broader term that refers to violence between family members (e.g. spouses, partners, parent and child, siblings and more).
Behaviour towards victims can include limiting their access to finances or work, preventing them from contacting family and friends, demeaning and humiliating them, threatening them or their children and acts of physical violence.
Domestic and family violence can happen to anyone, at any time, no matter their gender, age, orientation, location, cultural or religious beliefs, or economic status.
How can we help?
Our customer-facing staff are appropriately trained to ensure victims of domestic and family violence are supported with the upmost respect and privacy.
We can help victims to protect or strengthen their financial independence, manage their finances safely, or rebuild for a secure long-term future.
We can assist our customers to access limited financial and other support to help keep them and their families safe. This support will be determined by us on a case-by-case basis.
Domestic and family violence support is available.
If you’re in danger, please call the police on 000.
To access 24/7 counselling and support, you can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au/
If you need an interpreter or translator, you can use the telephone translating and interpreting service (TIS National) on 131 450, specify your required language and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Be aware that your partner might be monitoring your transactions, your computer or phone.
Contact us on 13 25 85 and speak to our Customer Relationship Centre staff about protecting access to your money. This could be done by re-setting passwords and restricting online access, transactions, and limits.
Financial abuse.
What is financial abuse?
Financial abuse is a serious issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals, their families and the community. It occurs when someone misuses money, financial resources, property or assets without the owner’s explicit knowledge or express consent.
Financial abuse can happen to anyone, but some people may be at greater risk, including older Australians, people with a disability, people with a mental illness or experiencing emotional challenges, and people who are socially isolated.
It can also happen to people who are in good health – sometimes a person does not even realise they are being financially abused.
Financial abuse can take many forms and it usually consists of a number of actions over a period of time, rather than a single event.
Types of financial abuse.
Elder financial abuse
Elder financial abuse is a specific form of exploitation or manipulation of older adults' finances for personal gain, often perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust or authority.
This form of abuse can take various forms and can occur through different channels, including family members, caregivers, financial advisors, or strangers. Some common examples of elder financial abuse include deceit, forgery, coercion through bullying and intimidation, and the misuse of Power of Attorney or Guardianship instructions.
Disability
Financial abuse of a disabled person is any act involving the misuse of the person’s money or property. This is done without their full knowledge, consent or understanding.
This can be against an individual with a physical and/or mental disability. It deprives them of critical financial resources for their personal needs.
Domestic
Domestic financial abuse may occur when a person uses money to gain power and control over their partner.
This type of abuse is when a victim is trapped in an abusive relationship with a person who:
- forbids access to bank accounts
- provides an inadequate allowance
- not allowing the victim to work
- forcing the victim to sign documents or make false declaration
- denying that the victim has an entitlement to joint property.
This type of financial abuse can be subtle. A person gradually takes control over bank accounts and financial transactions. Domestic financial abuse can also be obvious, violent and threatening.
It may not be until after a relationship has ended that the customer realises that they are a victim of financial abuse.
Financial abuse support
If you’re in danger, please call the police on 000.
| Type of abuse | What to do |
| Elder financial abuse | If you or someone you know needs help tackling elder abuse, we recommend visiting the Compass website or calling their support hotline on 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) |
| Disability abuse | The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (The Hotline), is a free, independent and confidential service for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability. To make a report, contact the Hotline on 1800 880 052 or send an email to: hotline@workfocus.com. |
| Domestic abuse | To access 24/7 counselling and support, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.auIf you need an interpreter or translator, you can use the telephone translating and interpreting service (TIS National) on 131 450, specify your required language and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. |
Financial difficulty.
What is financial difficulty?
When your circumstances have changed and you’re finding it hard to pay your debts on time, this could indicate that you are experiencing financial difficulty or hardship.
Events that could result in financial difficulty include some of the following:
- unemployment
- serious illness or injury
- family and domestic violence
- the loss of a loved one
- natural disasters
- a relationship breakdown.
How can we help?
Our credit team may be able to assist by working with you to explore options and tailor assistance based on your situation.
Financial Vulnerability FAQs
We are committed to supporting our customers who may be experiencing Domestic & Family Violence.
Please contact us so that we can discuss your situation and provide tailored solutions:
- Call us on 13 25 85
- Send us a secure message through Internet Banking
Visit one of our branches.
If you’re in danger, please call the police on 000.
To access 24/7 counselling and support you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/
If you need an interpreter or translator, you can use the telephone translating and interpreting service (TIS National) on 131 450, specify your required language and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
We are committed to supporting our customers who may be experiencing Financial Abuse.
Please contact us so that we can discuss your situation and provide tailored solutions:
- Call us on 13 25 85
- Send us a secure message through Internet Banking
Visit one of our branches
The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. They are not a lender and they don’t ‘sell’ anything or make money from you. Their professional financial councellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.
PH.1800 007 007
Credit Smart
Information in relation to financial hardship arrangements and the impact on your credit report.
https://www.creditsmart.org.au/
SmartMoney
Helps you take control of your money with free tools, tips and guidance to increase their financial wellbeing.
Beyond Bank is committed to assisting our customers experiencing financial difficulty. Our dedicated Credit team are available and may be able to assist further by seeking to work with you to explore various options and tailor assistance based on your individual circumstance.
- Call us on 13 25 85
- Send us a secure message through Internet Banking
- Visit one of our branches.
Credit Control 08 7201 2403
If you’re in danger, please call the police on 000.
To access 24/7 counselling and support you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/
If you need an interpreter or translator, you can use the telephone translating and interpreting service (TIS National) on 131 450, specify your required language and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Victim support for elder abuse, you can visit Compass:
1800 ELDERHelp
tel: 1800 353 374
Note: This number directs you to the phone line in your state or territory.
For state and territory elder abuse victim resource centre:
1800 200 422
Elder Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse is a specific form of exploitation and may also involve emotional abuse.
There are many forms of elder financial abuse, but there is a common thread. In general, it is an effort by dishonest person/s to extract money and resources through a variety of means from elderly persons, such as:
- deceit
- forgery
- coercion through bullying and intimidation
- undue influence for personal gain
- misuse of a person's Power of Attorney or Guardianship instructions
In general, all involve improper use of an older person’s assets.
Disability
Financial abuse of a disabled person is any act involving the misuse of the person’s money or property. This is done without their full knowledge, consent or understanding.
This can be against an individual with a physical and/or mental disability. It deprives them of critical financial resources for their personal needs.
Domestic
Domestic financial abuse may occur when a person uses money to gain power and control over their partner.
This type of abuse is when a victim is trapped in an abusive relationship with a person who:
- forbids access to bank accounts,
- provides an inadequate allowance,
- not allowing the victim to work,
- forcing the victim to sign documents or make false declarations,
- denying that the victim has an entitlement to joint property.
This is not an exhaustive list.
This type of financial abuse can be subtle. A person gradually takes control over bank accounts and financial transactions. Domestic financial abuse can also be obvious, violent and threatening.
It may not be until after a relationship has ended that the customer realises that they are a victim of financial abuse.
Domestic violence is a complex pattern of behaviours that may include, in addition to physical acts of violence, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
- Family Violence is a broader term that refers to violence between family members (partners, parent and child, siblings and more).
- Behaviour towards victims can include limiting their access to finances or work, preventing them from contacting family and friends, demeaning and humiliating them, threatening them or their children and acts of physical violence
Domestic and Family violence can happen to anyone, at any time, no matter their gender, age, orientation, location, cultural or religious beliefs, or economic status.
Financial abuse is a serious issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals, their families and the community. It occurs when someone misuses money, financial resources, property or assets without the owner’s explicit knowledge or express consent. Financial abuse can happen to anyone, but some people may be at greater risk, including older Australians, people with a disability, people with a mental illness or experiencing emotional challenges, and people who are socially isolated. However, it can also happen to people who are in good health – sometimes a person does not even realise they are being financially abused. Financial abuse can take many forms and it usually consists of a number of actions over a period of time, rather than a single event.
Financial Difficulty mean that your circumstances may have changed, and you’re finding it hard to pay your debts on time. This could indicate that you are experiencing financial difficulty or hardship.
Financial difficulty can arise from events such as:
- unemployment
- serious illness or injury
- family and domestic violence
- the loss of a loved one
- natural disasters
- a relationship breakdown
This list is not exhaustive.