Starling Bank has launched a feature in its app allowing customers to hide payment references, which could help survivors of economic abuse. The “hide references” feature is designed to help people mute unwelcome or abusive references that can accompany bank transfers. Payment references are generally simply intended to describe the nature of a payment, such as “rent”, “mum’s birthday gift” or “dinner”, for example. But in cases of economic abuse, they can be misused, with the aim of upsetting or trying to manipulate the recipient. An abusive former partner who has been blocked from other forms of contact, may, for example, send messages claiming they miss their ex, or even send insults or threats, Starling Bank said. 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 Lauren Garrett, Surviving Economic Abuse These references can be used as a way for an ex-partner to maintain some control and have a triggering impact on the recipient. The bank said multiple messages may even be sent to accompany payments as small as 1p. It has partnered with the charity Surviving Economic Abuse to launch the feature. Economic abuse, which is often accompanied by other forms of abuse, can involve someone taking another person’s wages, stopping them from working, or intentionally putting them into debt. While such abuse can happen within couples, it may sometimes take place within other types of relationships; for example, an adult child may abuse a frail and elderly parent, or a parent may abuse a child. Abusive payment references are a key obstacle for economic abuse survivors to overcome, Starling Bank said. Starling’s personal current account holders can use the feature by swiping up from the app home screen to pull up their transaction fee, tapping on a payment that has been received with an unwanted reference, and tapping the hide icon. This will hide references from past or future payments made from that account. Starling said the new feature will not stop money landing in a customer’s account – the recipient will simply not see any payment references that come from the sending account. Customers can choose to unhide payment references in the app at any time. Starling said one person had told the bank: “The ability to hide these references with a simple tap makes all the difference and I am so pleased that Starling has listened to my experience.” This feature shows just how powerful technology can be in making people’s lives easier Charity Wood, Starling Bank Lauren Garrett, financial services manager at Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “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. “We’re pleased to be working with Starling on this new feature and commend them for sharing what they are doing to give survivors the power to choose what payment references they see without having to relive traumatising experiences to customer services. “This small in-app feature will make a huge difference to survivors’ ability to bank safely, and we’re proud to work alongside financial services who are listening to the voices of victim-survivors and encourage firms to continue closing down gaps in products and services which are being used to inadvertently facilitate abuse.” Starling is a founding signatory in the UK Finance financial abuse code. The hide references feature is part of the bank’s existing work supporting economic abuse survivors, which includes a dedicated vulnerable support team. Charity Wood, head of customer experience at Starling Bank, said: “Anyone can experience economic abuse; they might not realise that it’s happening to them or how their bank can support. “This feature shows just how powerful technology can be in making people’s lives easier, and is testament to Starling’s belief in doing the right thing.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Augmented reality headset Vision Pro is ‘most advanced device ever’ – Apple Revealed: The delivery apps charging you double for your food shop Therapist develops secret app to help abuse victims

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Substitute Elijah Adebayo struck a stoppage-time equaliser as Luton fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Chris Wood’s second-half double appeared to have set Forest on their way to a third league win of the season but Chiedozie Ogbene fired Luton a late lifeline and Adebayo rescued them a point in the second minute of added time. New Zealand striker Wood could have easily ended up with a hat-trick as he went close with two other headers while Luton’s Jacob Brown spurned a golden chance to equalise for the visitors when they trailed 1-0. Forest forced the early pressure as Wood’s early volley was held by Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and Ibrahim Sangare headed narrowly over. Luton responded through Ogbene’s low cross, which narrowly evaded team-mates Carlton Morris and Brown. Morris fired a low shot wide as Luton made their intentions clear by committing men forward on the counter before another first-time effort from Wood deflected off Luton defender Teden Mengi for a corner. Luton’s former Manchester United forward Tahith Chong’s shot from outside the box was comfortably saved by Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner and Wood failed to get his header on target from Serge Aurier’s cross. Forest went close again on the stroke of half-time when Sangare somehow missed the target from Morgan Gibbs-White’s low ball across the six-yard box. But the home side broke the deadlock three minutes into the second period. Anthony Elanga threaded a neat through-ball into Wood’s path and the striker provided an emphatic left-footed finish. Wood should have made it 2-0 moments later when he headed Aurier’s excellent cross inches over before Luton spurned a golden chance to equalise, with Brown heading tamely at Turner from six yards. Wood appeared to have sealed the points for Steve Cooper’s side with a fine header from Elanga’s pin-point, in-swinging cross with 14 minutes remaining. But the Hatters refused to lie down. Their appeals for a penalty as Morris went down inside the box were dashed by VAR before Ogbene lashed home a volley from eight yards, which stood after another VAR check. Still the visitors were not finished. Tom Lockyer launched a long ball into Forest’s penalty area and Adebayo took it superbly on his chest before firing home to haul his side level in the second minute of added time. Read More Erling Haaland back among the goals as Manchester City return to winning ways Thomas Frank celebrates five years at Brentford with victory over 10-man Burnley Sasa Kalajdzic gives Wolves late win on Gary O’Neil’s return to Bournemouth Manchester City back to winning ways as Erling Haaland helps sink Brighton Daniel Kanu scores four in five-star Southend display against Solihull Newcastle romp to victory over Crystal Palace

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