Sex workers in the UK are increasingly losing their bank accounts due to their occupation, a practice known as 'debanking,' despite the work being legal. Alice Giddings, a senior lifestyle reporter, writes that this has left many unable to pay bills, receive income, or manage everyday finances.
Lily Phillips' Case Highlights Widespread Issue
Famous porn star Lily Phillips recently shared on TikTok that her business bank account was closed last year. 'It was purely because they didn't like my job,' she told her 481,000 followers, adding that this is an issue among the majority of adult creators.
Legal Sex Workers Face Financial Purge
Banks have become more cautious due to regulatory scrutiny on money laundering and fraud. However, sex workers are often classified as 'high-risk,' leading to account closures despite the exchange of sexual services for money being legal in the UK (except Northern Ireland). The Financial Conduct Authority warned in 2024 that denying accounts could cause 'significant harm' to sex workers, but banks claim decisions are individual, not moral.
Typically, payments from porn sites flag accounts, leading to requests for social media and website addresses. Once linked to the sex industry, accounts are closed with a brief email citing high-risk category.
FCA Guidelines and Consumer Duty
An FCA spokesperson told Metro that banks can choose account holders but must meet Consumer Duty standards, including acting in good faith and treating customers fairly. 'Blanket policies that unfairly exclude certain customers are unlikely to meet the standards we expect,' they added. Customers who feel treated unfairly should complain to their bank first, then to the Financial Ombudsman Service. For contracts after April 2026, banks must give 90 days' notice with a clear explanation.
Practical Consequences and Fear
Giddings, a dominatrix and kink model for 20 years, says the constant uncertainty is terrifying. Friends have lost accounts, forcing them to rely on spouses for finances. Direct debits fail, rent becomes harder to pay, and business grinds to a halt. One friend had PayPal shut down with little explanation, her balance frozen for 30 days.
'These aren't criminals trying to hide dirty money. They're women trying to get paid for legal work and pay their bills,' Giddings writes. She notes that HMRC has never questioned her income, yet banks treat sex workers like arms dealers.
A Call for Fair Treatment
Giddings argues that a bank account is a foundation of modern life, not a privilege. After 30 years of legal work and paying taxes, she believes she has earned the right to keep her account. 'Nobody should have to live like that,' she concludes, urging banks to treat sex workers fairly.
