By Karim Hammam
More than 38,000 payment references have been hidden by Nationwide Building Society customers since the launch of a new app feature in May designed to combat economic abuse.
Feature hides payment references
The feature allows customers to hide payment references from specific senders while still receiving the payments. Abusers have exploited payment references to send threatening, harassing or coercive messages, including words or locations intended to cause distress, even when other forms of contact have been blocked.
Online safe spaces launched
In September, Nationwide also introduced “online safe spaces” providing discreet digital access to specialist domestic and economic abuse information and support. The service received 2,893 visits in its first month, with 645 users progressing to information on how to contact Nationwide for further help.
Economic abuse, often part of domestic abuse, can involve controlling another person’s access to money, pushing them into debt, or making it difficult for them to get a job.
