Starling Bank Lets Abuse Victims ‘Hide’ Scary Payment References

Starling Bank has added a feature that lets people who have been abused turn off scary payment references that come with bank transfers.

Payment references tell you what kind of payment it is, like “Rent,” “Mum’s birthday gift,” or “Dinner.” But customers can also use the transaction description areas to send mean messages, such as threats to people who have been abused at home.

The feature was made possible by a partnership between Starling and the charity Surviving Economic Abuse. The bank says it is the first of its kind in the UK for Faster Payments.

Customers can use it by swiping up from the app’s home screen to see their transaction feed, tapping on a payment that has an unwanted reference, and tapping the Hide button. This will hide any mentions of purchases that have been made or will be made from that account.

Lauren Garrett, financial services manager at Surviving Economic Abuse says:

“Economic abuse can continue, increase, or even start long after a victim-survivor has separated from an abuser. Using online bank payment references to send intimidating or malicious messages is just one of the ways an abuser can maintain control from afar, leaving victims feeling helpless and highly vulnerable. This small in-app feature will make a huge difference to survivors’ ability to bank safely.”

Australia has been talking a lot about this problem, and NAB, Westpac, and Commbank have all taken steps to stop abusive texts from showing up in payment reference fields.