Christmas is a time of parties, presents, lots of food and family celebrations. But it can also bring stress, worry and financial pressure, especially when it’s all over and you realise that you may have overspent.
Energy, phone and credit cards, rent or mortgage – all these bills still have to be paid and you can’t last on turkey left-overs forever.
Loan sharks recognise that many people need a bit of extra money after Christmas, and it can be a time of year when they take advantage of the most vulnerable by pretending that they are helping out in a time of need.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is a national organisation, hosted by Birmingham City Council, which investigates and prosecutes illegal lenders and supports borrowers. It is better known in communities as Stop Loan Sharks.
This new year, the team is warning people that however tempting that offer of a loan might be and however friendly someone might seem, they should be aware that there could be a loan shark lurking beneath the surface.
How to spot a loan shark
Illegal money lenders are not always easy to spot. They could be a neighbour who always stops to chat, a parent who you know from the school gate, a popular work colleague, even a long-standing family friend.
Borrowers often aren’t aware that they have borrowed from a loan shark until it’s too late. Things can quickly turn nasty as they demand repayments and issue threats of violence when you can’t pay.
What are the warning signs?
There are warning signs to look out for which may all indicate that someone is a loan shark. They include:
- Being given no paperwork or details about the loan
- The lender demanding repayments that add up to much more than you initially borrowed
- Being intimidated or threatened by the lender if you struggle to pay
- The lender demanding you hand over items like bank cards or a passport until you can pay
How can I borrow safely?
If you need to borrow, the IMLT advises people to contact their nearest credit union, which offer an alternative, ethical and safe way of borrowing for people who may have been refused credit elsewhere. Find your nearest Credit Union.
What can I do if I am being targeted by a loan shark?
If you think you have been targeted by a loan shark, get in touch with the IMLT as soon as possible in complete confidence. Their specialist officers can offer advice and support, and investigate the illegal lender.
To get in touch:
- Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
- Text a report to 07860 022116
- Join a live chat on the Stop Loan Sharks website (available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
- E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Remember you have done nothing wrong if you have borrowed from a loan shark. It is the lender who has committed a crime.
Make sure you don’t allow a loan shark into your life in 2025.
Many thanks to the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) for this blog and best wishes for 2025 from us here at Portsmouth City Council.