Acorn Community Bank is supporting the Stop Loan Sharks team in creating awareness about the dangers of Loan sharks. Loan sharks are expert manipulators. They manipulate people to borrow from them in the first place, and later it’s how they keep people trapped in a cycle of debt. They will pretend to be a borrower’s friend, and appear to be offering a favour. Turning up with a promise of cash just at the point when its most needed. But instead of finding the expected relief from their financial struggles, borrowers find themselves plunged further into debt, and feel trapped with no way out.
No blame, no shame – your lender is in the wrong, not you!!
In 2023, Stop Loan Sharks supported almost 800 people who had borrowed from loan sharks, helping them escape the clutches of their lender. Of those, 17 per cent had borrowed more than 10 times and 14 per cent did not remember exactly how many times they’d borrowed. This shows how people can end up in a cycle of borrowing again and again to repay what they owe. The amount they owe keeps rising and they never manage to repay the total. Stop Loan Sharks statistics also show that it can sometimes take borrowers more than two years to finally report a loan shark.
Victims of Loan Sharks
Of the victims support by Stop Loan Sharks last year 81 per cent were in a state of extreme stress, worry or depression because of their involvement with the loan shark. Stop Loan Sharks has a team of specialist officers who recognise this and have the tools and experience to help people in this position escape the clutches of the illegal lenders. They are there to help and will not judge. This year is the 20th anniversary of Stop Loan Sharks. Over the past two decades, it has supported over 31,500 people, written off over £91.2 million worth of illegal debt and secured over 416 prosecutions for illegal money lending, leading to 598 years in jail.
Who is a Loan Shark.
A loan shark, or illegal money lender, is someone who lends money without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority. They are not bound by rules that exist to protect borrowers. The signs of an illegal lender include:
- Being given no paperwork or details about the loan.
- Being told to make repayments that add up to much more than you initially borrowed.
- Being intimidated or threatened you if you struggle to pay.
- Being told to hand over items like bank cards or a passport until you can pay.
Safe Alternative.
Acorn Community Bank is dedicated to serving as your local community bank, committed to enhancing the financial health of the community. We collaborate with you to promote financial stability , ensuring you are not vulnerable to unscrupulous moneylenders. We advocate for regular savings, no matter how small, and provide a secure option for borrowing, serving as a reliable alternative to traditional banks and lenders.
If you think you have been targeted by a loan shark, you can contact Stop Loan Sharks by calling the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222. You can also join the live chat which is available on the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
For further information on the support available and how to get in touch, visit the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk