Financial exploitation

You could see fake job adverts that criminals have created. These can look like they are from companies you know. The criminals could use the company’s logo and make it look official, so you give them your bank account details which they then use to launder money.

Or you may see opportunities on social media to make money, such as having money transferred into your account and you then being asked to move it to another account and being allowed to keep some of that money.

Ways to keep yourself safe

• Be wary of jobs and opportunities that sound too good to be true, such as getting a disproportionate amount of money for the work they are asking you to do.
• When you see job adverts on places like social media, you can then visit that company’s website to check that the job is also being promoted there.
• Be wary of jobs that ask for your bank details really early in the application process.
• Be concerned if the job advert has spelling and grammar mistakes and other ways that it looks unprofessional.
• Be careful about responding to money making opportunities posted by social media influencers, sometimes their accounts can be hacked by criminals.
• If you feel unsure talk to a trusted adult or to Childline.

You may get a call from someone claiming to be from your energy company or another service provider you use. They will tell you that you have overpaid and are owed a refund and ask for your bank details. They will then transfer a lot more money than you were expecting and tell you it was a mistake and ask you to move the extra money you were sent into a different bank account.

Ways to keep yourself safe

• Never give out your bank account details over the phone when you can’t be sure who you’re talking to. Your service providers will have your bank details and will not ask you to give them over the phone.
• If somebody calls claiming to be from your bank, or from one of your service providers, you can say you will call them back. You can then use the phone numbers on their website to make sure it is them you are talking to.
• If money has been moved into your account, report it to your bank and the police by calling 101 or if it’s an emergency call 999. Don’t move the money to another account.

It doesn’t have to be a stranger, you can be financially exploited by somebody you know, like a family member, friend or a partner. As you trust them they could ask you to do them a favour and have some money transferred into your bank account and then ask you to move it into another account. They may tell you they need to do this because their bank account isn’t working.

Ways to keep yourself safe

• Your bank account belongs to you and you have the right to refuse money being transferred in and out of your account.
• There shouldn’t be a reason for you to have to have money moved through your account, the money should be able to be moved directly to where it needs to go.
• Talk to a trusted adult or to Childline if you’re unsure about what’s happening.

Criminals could threaten to hurt you, your family and friends if you don’t let them move money through your account. You may have agreed to just moving a small amount of money, but now they are transferring larger amounts of money into your account without permission.

If you feel like you’re in danger you should always call the police on 999 and tell them what’s been happening and that you’ve been the victim of financial exploitation. The criminals may have nude photos of you and be threatening to spread them if you don’t do what they tell you. You can use our Report Remove tool to remove any nude photos or videos of yourself from the internet.

Whatever’s happening it’s not your fault and you don’t have to go through this alone. The Childline counsellors are always here to support you. You can also tell a trusted adult and our conversation starter can make it easier to do that. You can take your time to write down what’s happened and how you would like to be supported. You can then give that to an adult you trust.