Nationwide Building Society has introduced a new app feature allowing customers to hide harmful payment references on incoming transfers, in a move aimed at protecting survivors of domestic and economic abuse.
The measure addresses a tactic in which perpetrators embed abusive messages within payment references to maintain unwanted contact and control. From Thursday, customers will be able to block these references directly through the Nationwide app, giving them greater control over what they see.
Nationwide said it is also exploring extending the functionality to Virgin Money customers. The launch builds on previous work, including the introduction of “safe spaces” across 430 branches, where people experiencing domestic abuse can access specialist support.
Charity Surviving Economic Abuse estimates that 4.2 million women in the UK have endured economic abuse from a current or former partner. Nationwide’s specialist support team helped 312 customers in 2025, up from 213 in 2024.
Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide, said: “Domestic abuse doesn’t stop and start at physical harm, it can reach into everyday systems, including banking. When applied, the hide reference feature puts control back with the customer, where it belongs.”
Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “For far too long, domestic abusers have exploited everyday banking tools, like payment references, to harass and control survivors even after separation.” She urged other firms to follow suit by closing down loopholes for abusers.
