Supporting Partner Agencies

Stop Loan Sharks works with partner agencies across England as part of our drive to reach those who have borrowed from loan sharks. We want to let them know help is available and also raise awareness to prevent people from borrowing from a loan shark in the first place.

We want to work with partner agencies to gather intelligence that will enable us to stop loan sharks and keep communities safe. Existing partners include housing associations, the Police, Citizens Advice, debt advice services, credit unions, CDFIs and anyone who works with vulnerable people.

Our full offer to partners can be found here: Our Offer to Partners

We recently enlisted the help of partners to find out how clients are contacting them and how and when support is offered. Here is our summary of the findings with some best practice ideas: Helping us to help your clients

Training

We offer bespoke training on how to spot the signs of a loan shark to help you identify borrowers and refer them to us. We also offer follow-up sessions that look at aspects of our work in greater detail. To book this free training please contact Catherine.wohlers@birmingham.gov.uk

Borrower Support 

If you are working with someone who has borrowed from a loan shark we will come to meet them. They can remain anonymous if they prefer, and no pressure will be put on them to give details they don’t want to. By meeting us face to face we find we can reassure people and gain their trust, making them more likely to engage and access our support.

You can complete our online reporting form to share information about the loan shark with our team or call our 24-hour helpline on 0300 555 2222.

We can also offer the following for partner agencies, completely free of charge:

• Presentations for service users and residents to raise awareness of illegal lending
• Publicity materials
• Social media campaigns and toolkits
• ‘Loan shark proofing’ policies and procedures
• Proceeds of Crime grants to help fund projects that stop loan sharks
• Partnership recognition award programme
• Financial education resources for schools

We can also develop bespoke projects and campaigns with you and will work with you to increase financial inclusion.

For more information on how Stop Loan Sharks can work with you to develop and deliver a range of resources, free of charge, please email Catherine.wohlers@birmingham.gov.uk

Encouraging Clients To Report Illegal Lending

We need information to successfully investigate and prosecute loan sharks. We understand that people who borrow from illegal lenders may be struggling with repayments and scared of threats and violence. It is why partner agencies, who are already in a position of trust, can gain the information we need to start investigating the loan shark.

How To Report A Loan Shark On Behalf Of A Client

If you have come across someone that you feel may be borrowing money from a loan shark you can get in touch with Stop Loan Sharks on their behalf.

You can complete our online reporting form to share information about the loan shark with our team or call us on 0300 555 2222. We understand that you are a person that they trust and we can arrange to meet with you and the borrower to provide support and reassurance.