Financial Infidelity: 6 Signs Your Partner Is Cheating With Money.

According to The Sun: Do you think that infidelity only pertains to your partner's messaging with other people, likes on seductive posts on Instagram, or suspicious messages? Unfortunately, this is not the case.

According to a study by University College London, one in three participants is found to be financially unreliable, and the consequences can cause severe harm to the partner, sometimes for many years.

We reveal the subtle signs of financial infidelity and how to protect yourself. Getty

This can lead to serious problems, especially if you share finances or pay bills or a mortgage together.

Financial infidelity can ruin your credit history and lead to serious debt, even if you are not involved.

Psychologist Dr. Lois Goddard-Crawley notes that there are many reasons why someone may commit financial infidelity — from a desire to control their partner to fear of conflicts and feelings of shame.

“In a healthy relationship, financial openness is part of emotional openness, and secrecy around money usually indicates secrets in other areas,” she adds.

So how do you know when your partner’s financial management turns suspicious? From expressions to everything that might indicate a "lie check," we’ll show you how to identify a financial fraudster and how to protect yourself.

Sign #1 – They Don’t Open Mail In Front of You

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Pay attention if your partner refuses to open letters or look at bank statements in your presence.

Have you noticed how quickly your partner hides financial documents or chooses paths to avoid being in the room when the mail arrives?

“If your partner avoids opening bank statements or bills when you're around, that's a bright warning sign,” says Karad Hammel, a personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket.

Not just hiding letters is a betrayal of trust, but it can also have serious consequences for your own finances if there are hidden debts.

Sign #2 – They Are Spending Secretly

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If you've noticed that your partner has made a few large unexpected purchases without warning, this may be a cause for concern.

“For financial fraudsters, not only the expense itself matters, but also the secrecy surrounding it, which signals financial infidelity,” states Thomas Peivy, a partner at Vaitlingham Kay Solicitors.

Financial fraudsters may dispose of receipts or packaging to hide evidence of their spending.

Sign #3 – Their Tone and Body Language Are Unusual

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How your partner reacts to conversations about money can be an important sign of betrayal.

“People may dodge questions, saying: “It doesn’t matter” or “Don't worry about it,” or they may deflect questions back at you, asking: “Why do you need to know?”” says Dr. Lois.

Sign #4 – You Don’t Remember When They Received a Bonus at Work

Can you recall when your partner told you about their salary or bonus? Do you even know how much they earn?

“If your partner is hiding their raised salary or bonus, it’s not just deceit — it’s a serious breach of trust,” emphasizes Hammel.

Sign #5 – They Insist on Managing Household Finances Alone

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Your partner may think they’re doing you a favor, but if they are managing finances without your involvement, this should be a warning signal.

“Finances should be managed openly, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. If one partner insists on controlling all finances alone, it could be a red flag,” adds McCullough.

Sign #6 – Their Financial Habits Have Changed Suddenly

Ask questions when your partner's financial habits change suddenly! Getty

If you’ve noticed sudden changes in your partner’s financial behavior, it may be worth asking about it.

How to Protect Yourself from Financial Fraud

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“If you suspect financial infidelity, it’s important to approach the conversation with caution and seek support,” says McCullough.

If you share finances, using free budgeting apps can help identify discrepancies.

And if you are not married and discover financial infidelity, it can lead to serious consequences, such as affecting your credit history.