Refuge data reveals 78% rise in tech and economic abuse referrals

Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse charity, has recorded a staggering 78% rise in referrals for cases of technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.

Of these cases, Refuge’s frontline team has observed a worrying increase in perpetrators exploiting car finance agreements, putting survivors in significant debt.

Between April 2025-March 2026, there were 967 referrals to Refuge’s specialist Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team, compared to 542 referrals in 2024 – 2025.

Of the 2025-2026 referrals, 43% (414) survivors reported experiencing some form of economic abuse, compared to 37% (198) of survivors in 2024-2025.

Economic abuse can take many forms, all of which involve a perpetrator restricting or controlling a survivors’ access to money or resources. This can include perpetrators preventing survivors from accessing their own income, bank accounts, or household finances. Some survivors may even be pressured or manipulated into taking out loans or credit for their partner.

Car finance related economic abuse on the rise

Over the past two years, Refuge’s economic abuse specialists, who support survivors experiencing highly complex forms of economic abuse, have witnessed a concerning rise in cases involving car finance.

From coercing survivors into costly car finance agreements, to registering survivors’ cars in their names without consent, reports made to Refuge indicate a growing trend of perpetrators weaponising car payments as a means of control.

This form of economic abuse often has serious long-term consequences for survivors’ credit record. In turn, this can prevent them from accessing phone contracts, rental tenancies, or even a mortgage. And all of these things can be vital for survivors fleeing abuse.

Sara*, a survivor supported by Refuge’s Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team, said:

Alongside emotional abuse, my partner significantly controlled my finances, leaving me dependent and scared to challenge his behaviour.

A number of debts had been taken out in my name throughout the relationship, but one of the biggest was when he completed the finance arrangements for a luxury car worth over £100k.

He told me that all I needed to do was sign the paperwork. I said I didn’t want to go ahead with it and told the car sales staff that I was reluctant. They even saw us arguing at the dealership.

But, despite this, they still allowed the agreement to be entered into my name, and I felt unable to refuse because of my partner’s coercive nature. It left me with a huge financial commitment that I didn’t want or feel able to say no to.

Zara* said:

My ex-partner was controlling in many ways, but economic abuse was a big part of this. When we were still together, he coerced me into taking out a car finance agreement in my own name, with the intention to use the vehicle himself. After separating from him, I returned the vehicle to the car company.

It was then that I was informed I was liable to pay an early termination fee of around £11,000. I couldn’t afford this, so I missed a number of these payments which then impacted my credit score. I had to take on extra shifts at work to try and repay the car debt, as well as other debts which my ex had coerced me into.

But, after receiving ongoing support from Refuge, I am now debt free – something I never thought would be possible. I feel so much lighter and no longer have to worry about any financial issues.

Nicole* said:

My ex-partner was incredibly controlling during our two-year relationship, but I realised I was experiencing economic abuse when he took my car and registered it in his name without my consent.

The police told me this was a civil issue and that I had to contact my vehicle finance provider for support. He also had subscription payments for a bike, which he coerced me into funding.

Refuge sent support letters to help me explain my circumstances to the lenders and providers I was involved with because of my ex. This helped write off coerced debts, which was vital in regaining my freedom and independence.

To protect survivors better from this growing form of economic abuse, Refuge is urging the government to establish a working group. This would include specialist support services, car finance providers, and credit reference agencies. It could collate evidence on survivors’ experiences and develop a shared approach to support them with clearing coerced car finance debt, while ensuring it does not affect their future credit reference.

Francesca Ferrier, senior economic empowerment partnerships manager at Refuge, said:

Every day, survivors of economic abuse are met with systems that are not designed to recognise their experiences or provide the support they need.

Many car finance providers and credit reference agencies lack the skills and resources to identify the signs of economic abuse, leaving survivors facing significant obstacles to resolving debt and rebuilding their financial independence.

Lasting change requires government action. The government must bring together car finance providers, credit reference agencies and specialist economic abuse services to better understand the risks survivors face and develop a coordinated, robust response that ensures survivors receive the support and protection they deserve.

Featured image via the Canary