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Loan Shark Awareness Sessions – Free Community Training

Man in blue plaid shirt sits pensively at a kitchen table with a smartphone, newspaper, and floral mug. Soft floral wallpaper in background.

Residents, community groups, and local organisations are being encouraged to take part in a series of free Loan Shark Awareness Sessions, designed to help protect individuals and families from illegal money lending.


Delivered by the Illegal Money Lending Team (also known as Stop Loan Sharks), these sessions aim to raise awareness of the risks posed by loan sharks and provide practical guidance on how to identify and support those affected.


Why this matters

With ongoing financial pressures affecting many households, more people may feel forced to look for quick access to cash. Unfortunately, this can make them vulnerable to illegal lenders.


Loan sharks are criminals. They often appear friendly and supportive at first, but their aim is to exploit. They may:

  • Charge extremely high interest rates

  • Use intimidation or threats

  • Trap people in cycles of debt


These sessions help participants understand how these individuals operate and, importantly, how to respond.


What the session covers

Each session (lasting 1 hour 30 minutes) will provide:

  • Awareness of illegal money lending and how it works

  • Signs that someone may be a victim

  • Guidance on how to safely support and signpost individuals

  • Information on safe and affordable alternatives to borrowing


This training is particularly valuable for anyone working closely with the community, including volunteers, local groups, parish representatives, and frontline staff.


Session dates and booking

You can book onto any of the following sessions:


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