Are you getting two-timed? Five signs of financial infidelity

Is your loved one two-timing you — financially? According to a recent survey by Creditcards.com, 44% of Americans are currently hiding a checking, savings or credit card account from their partner, have hidden debt, or are spending more than their partner would think was OK.
This practice has been labeled by some as “financial infidelity.” Here are five signs to watch out for from Rebecca Gramuglia, Personal Finance Expert at TopCashback.com:
Cash has disappeared. Has your checking or savings account lowered little by little in the past few months? Do you not recognize a bunch of ATM withdrawals? If you find yourself answering “yes” to those questions, then ask your partner if he or she recognizes those withdrawals. Sure, forgetting you withdrew once or twice is normal but if there are several sizable withdrawals with no real explanation, then do some digging. Money doesn’t just go missing. Track down the last 12-month statements to narrow down how long the cash has been missing. This will help you create a timeline of when the financial shift occurred.
Your partner has a lot of new possessions. While treating yourself here and there can be harmless, excessive spending can be harmful to your relationship. If your partner is suddenly flaunting a new phone or tablet that you didn’t talk about or see on your statements, then it’s safe to assume he or she has another form of payment you don’t know about. But before you jump to conclusions, ask about it. The best way to avoid secretive spending is for each of you to have a reasonable amount each month for “free-spending” within the budget.
Your partner showers you with gifts. While receiving gifts is not always a bad thing, if your partner becomes overly generous with gifts and you can’t figure out how he or she is affording it, be wary. People often try to make up for their financial infidelity in the form of gifts because they feel guilty.
Missing mail. If your significant other is obsessive about getting to the mail before you, then be cautious that there might be something they don’t want you to see — whether it’s a statement or new credit card. If your spouse is uncomfortable with your access to financial documents, then you have a clear sign of trouble.
Lack of financial activity. If you see a change in, or a lack of, activity by your partner on a card you both normally use, then ask him questions to cancel out financial infidelity. If you’re still not satisfied with your partner’s explanation, discuss it further.