Sex workers in the UK are increasingly losing their bank accounts due to their profession, a practice known as 'debanking', despite the exchange of sexual services for money being legal except in Northern Ireland. Famous porn star Lily Phillips recently shared on TikTok that her business bank account was closed 'purely because they didn't like my job', a claim supported by many adult creators.
What is debanking and who is affected?
Debanking refers to banks closing or denying accounts to individuals or businesses deemed 'high-risk'. For sex workers, this often starts with payments from porn sites flagging accounts, leading to requests for social media and website details, followed by account closure with little notice. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned in 2024 that such actions could cause 'significant harm', yet banks maintain decisions are based on risk, not morality.
Alice Giddings, a dominatrix and kink model for 20 years and sex worker for 30, describes the constant fear: 'Every email from my bank feels doom-laden... Is this the message that tells you your account is being closed?' She notes that friends have lost accounts, forcing them to rely on partners for finances, undermining their independence.
FCA guidelines and bank responsibilities
An FCA spokesperson stated that banks 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. Banks must provide at least 90 days' notice for contracts after April 2026, with a clear explanation. Customers who feel unfairly treated should complain to their bank first, then to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Despite these guidelines, sex workers report abrupt closures. One friend had her PayPal account shut down with little explanation, with funds frozen for 30 days. Another is repeatedly asked for social media accounts and websites to maintain basic banking.
Practical consequences and broader impact
The effects are severe: direct debits fail, rent becomes harder to pay, businesses grind to a halt, and proving income for mortgages or insurance becomes complicated. Giddings highlights the irony: 'HMRC has never once suggested my money is too controversial to accept... The government is perfectly happy for me to contribute to the public purse.' She pays taxes on legal income, yet faces exclusion from ordinary financial services.
Giddings concludes: 'A bank account isn't a privilege, but the foundation of modern life. And after 30 years of contributing to this country, I think I've earned the right to keep mine.' She calls for an end to the attrition that makes sex workers feel they should simply disappear.
