Citizens Advice Havant has become the first Citizens Advice team in England to be awarded the official Partner Plus Award from the England Illegal Money Lending Team – known as Stop Loan Sharks – a national organisation that investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports borrowers.
A loan shark is someone who provides loans without the correct authorisation, often charging high interest rates. They may keep hold of a person’s valuables or bank card as security against the loan or make threats if a borrower falls behind on repayment.
The Citizens Advice Havant team members attended a Stop Loan Sharks training session and have since embedded information about illegal lenders into their day-to-day work.
This includes teaching about loan sharks in local schools as part of the Work Out Your Money project and spreading the message to the local community, encouraging anyone involved with a loan shark to get specialist support from the IMLT.
The Stop Loan Sharks mascot Sid The Shark came along to present a trophy to service delivery manager, Amanda Whiteland-Smith, staff members and volunteers.
Amanda said: “The Stop Loan Sharks campaign has been embedded in our Money Awareness sessions for many years. Excellent training by the Illegal Money Lending Team ensures our frontline advisers delve deeper when a client mentions a loan from a ‘friend’.
Borrowers can sometimes feel afraid to admit they have borrowed from an illegal lender because they feel ashamed or think they have done something wrong, but the lender is the criminal not them.
If you have been affected by illegal money lending call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.