'Financial infidelity' on the rise as 30% lie to their partner about money

Little white lies: Sixteen percent of couples affected by financial infidelity said the deception led to a divorce and 11 percent said it caused a separation

It's not unusual for partners to tell 'harmless' lies to avoid revealing how they spend their money.

But a new poll has revealed that 30 per cent of Americans commit 'financial infidelity' and sometimes even suffering consequences such as separation or divorce.

The Harris Interactive online poll of 2,019 adults showed 31 percent of American couples who have combined finances were not truthful about issues such as hiding cash or a bank account or about debt or earnings.

'Financial infidelity may be the new normal,' said Forbes.com, which commissioned the survey with the National Endowment for Financial Education.

One-third of respondents also say they have been deceived, and both sexes lie to their partners about money in equal numbers.

'These indiscretions cause significant damage to the relationship,' said Ted Beck, chief executive of the National Endowment for Financial Education.

Sixteen percent of couples affected by financial infidelity said the deception led to a divorce and 11 percent said it caused a separation.

Sixty-seven percent said it led to an argument and for 42 percent it lessened trust in the relationship.

The most common lie, at 58 percent, was hiding cash, according to Forbes.com.

Fifty-four percent of respondents admitted hiding a minor purchase, 30 percent hid a bill, 16 percent did not disclose a major purchase and 15 percent hid a bank account.
Eleven percent lied about debt and an equal number were untruthful about earnings, the survey showed.