This is a week of action and support against Loan Sharks and illegal money lenders.
Events are taking place across multiple locations in Derbyshire offering advice around the risks of illegal lending and support around safe, affordable alternative borrowing options.
Cabinet Member for Communities and Safety, Councillor Dan Price said:
“We would encourage everyone to come along and find out more about how to protect themselves, and their money, from illegal money lenders.
“If you are worried about reporting that you have borrowed money from a loan shark then please be assured that you are not in trouble.
“It is the lender that is committing a criminal offence, not you. There is support available if you are affected by this crime.”
Our affordable credit team will be on hand to talk about safe, affordable alternatives for borrowing money including community banks and credit unions.
The team will be at the following venues:
Monday 24 August
- Brimington Foodbank, St Michaels Church Hall, 11:45am to 2pm
- Bolsover Library, Church Street, 2:15pm to 4:30pm
Tuesday 25 August
- Heanor Library, Ilkeston Road, 9:30am to 11:30am
- Long Eaton Health Centre, Midland Street, 12:30pm to 3:30pm
- Ilkeston Library, Market Street, 4pm to 6pm
Wednesday 26 August
- St Oswald's Hospital, Clifton Road, Ashbourne, 9:30am to 11:30am
- Derbyshire County Council, Bank Road, Matlock, 12pm to 2pm
- Bakewell Agricultural Business Centre, 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Thursday 27 August
- Matlock Library, Steep Turnpike, 10am to 12pm
- The Arc, High Street, Clowne, 3pm to 5pm
Friday 28 August
- South Derbyshire CVS foodbank, Alexandra Road, Swadlincote, 10:30am -1pm
If you, or someone you know, is unsure about whether someone is an illegal money lender, then the FRIEND framework offers some key questions to ask.
- Friend: Is the lender really a friend, and what happens if you do not pay them?
- Repeat: Does this person lend to multiple people, or has the borrower used them before?
- Interest: Are extortionate or changing interest rates and extra charges being added
- Evidence: Is there any official paperwork, contract, or written record of the loan?
- Nervous: Does talking about the person or owing them money cause visible distress or fear?
- Disruptive: Is the lender a dangerous or intimidating presence in the borrower's life?
If you are concerned about a loan shark, you can call Stop Loan Sharks on 0300 555 2222 at any time of the day or night
Find more advice and support around loan sharks and illegal money lending.
If you do need to borrow money, but can't access mainstream lending, find out about local community banks which offer safer borrowing options.