What is a loan shark?
Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who often use threats and violence to get money from their victims. An estimated 310,000 households in the UK borrow from loan sharks every year.
How to get help
You’re not in trouble if you’ve borrowed cash or you’re paying back a loan from an illegal money lender. The loan shark is committing a crime, not you.
Stop Loan Sharks is a UK government agency with the power to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders. They will also offer you support to get your life back and reduce your money worries. For example, they may refer you to a credit union.
Report a loan shark – call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222 or visit the Stop Loan Sharks website.