Loan sharks

Don't get bitten

Loan sharks are illegal lenders who will charge a high rate of interest.

They usually have no paperwork, and might resort to threats or violence to recover the debt.

Stop loan sharks

If you have any information at all, no matter how vague, on anyone you think may be operating as a loan shark you should report it to the Illegal Money lending Team on 0300 555 2222, or text loan shark + your message to 60003.

So far, a number of loan sharks have been caught and prosecuted as a result of information received from their victims and other members of the public. The loan sharks have received sentences of varying lengths and have been charged with offences other than illegal money lending including kidnap, blackmail, assault and rape.

Any loans outstanding to the loan shark are written off and any victims who require it are offered support by the team.