CBA tells of how it’s stopping DV victims being targeted in abusive messages on a banking app

Domestic violence abusers are using a new method to torment their victims. The crime has led to at least one Australian woman taking her own life because of it. SEE EXPERT TIPS.

EXCLUSIVE: Domestic violence abusers are using banking apps to torment their victims from afar, in some cases sending hundreds of messages a day, with at least one Australian woman taking her own life because of it.

Commonwealth Bank has revealed that since 2020 it has detected and stopped over a million bank transfers that include abusive messages.

In one example shared with this masthead, one perpetrator sent 50 messages in a short period of time via bank transfers, each one was for a sum of just $0.01.

Messages included, ‘You really broke my heart’, ‘call me ASAP’, ‘stop being selfish’, ‘can u hurry up n move back now’, ‘UNBLOCK ME NOW!!!’. Some texts were repeated over and over.

Because financial abuse doesn’t manifest in the same way as physical abuse, it can be misunderstood or overlooked.

CBA Group Customer Advocate Angela MacMillan helps vulnerable customers and said one message in isolation can seem quite innocent to an outsider. But a constant stream of messages tell a different story.

She said often victims will change their phone number and email, but it is often impractical to keep changing their bank account.

“Some people receive hundreds, if not thousands of abusive messages via banking platforms, because that’s the last avenue of communication,” Ms MacMillan said.

“I’m aware of at least one woman who was so taunted by her ex-partner via a banking platform after receiving hundreds of messages over a sustained period, that she took her own life.

“That’s what keeps me personally going in this space because losing one person to this kind of abuse is one too many.”

She said because financial abuse doesn’t manifest in the same way as physical abuse, it can be misunderstood or overlooked.

Examples include being forced to take out loans in someone else’s name, not being allowed to work, or having work hours controlled by a partner.

CBA Group Customer Advocate Angela MacMillan.

Good Shepherd CEO Stella Avramopoulos. Picture: Supplied

“It can include things from victim survivors being saddled with up to millions of dollars of debt after having been coerced into taking out loans, which really haven’t benefited them, but benefited their partners,” Ms MacMillan said.

CBA also works with domestic violence advocacy group Good Shepherd to provide the Financial Independence Hub – which has now supported more than 10,000 participants. Around five per cent of those were male.

Good Shepherd CEO Stella Avramopoulos said nine out of 10 cases of family violence include financial abuse, leaving mainly women a “choice between poverty and abuse”. She said the impact of it can last a lifetime.

“When they get to the refuge, we see things like the assets are in his name and all the debts are in hers, which then impacts her credit rating,” Ms Avramopoulos said.

Victim and survivor advocate Belinda Casselden, said it had been difficult for her to feel financially secure after suffering domestic violence and abuse.

“Many women affected by abuse struggle as a result of not having employment, superannuation and secure housing,” she said.

“Financial independence and security is key to moving forward after abuse.”

CommBank Next Chapter helps financial abuse victims, regardless of who they bank with and can be contacted on 1800 222 387. For advice call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or go to 1800RESPECT.org.au.

Originally published as CBA tells of how it’s stopping DV victims being targeted in abusive messages on a banking app