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Stop Loan Sharks England

1 day ago

Stop Loan Sharks England
A 66-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after illegally lending more than £4.7 million.Alexander Ali Baba was a well-known illegal lender in his south London community and claimed he was helping people in need.But the judge found his operation was more akin to a business, charging high interest rates and penalty fees and targeting people who were financially vulnerable.This sentencing marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation by the England Illegal Money Lending Team, working alongside Merton Council Trading Standards and the Metropolitan Police Service.We hope this outcome sends a clear message that illegal lending will not be tolerated in our communities. We remain committed to protecting people from financial exploitation and supporting those affected by loan sharks.Read the full story on our website - the link is in the comments 👇 ... See MoreSee Less

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Stop Loan Sharks England

1 day ago

Stop Loan Sharks England
We're delighted to welCitizens Advice East Suffolkffolk as the latest organisation to become a Stop Loan Sharks Access Point.This means that anyone who thinks they may have borrowed from a loan shark can visit one of their offices to access free, confidential support and information about getting help.Citizens Advice East Suffolk operates from offices in Beccles, Felixstowe, Leiston, Lowestoft and Woodbridge, alongside outreach locations across East Suffolk, including Bungay, Framlingham, Halesworth, Kesgrave, Kessingland, Saxmundham, Southwold and Wickham Market.Our network of Access Points continues to grow, helping more people find support in their local communities.Interested in becoming a Stop Loan Sharks Access Point? Find out more at stoploansharks.co#stoploansharksenglandg#CommunitySafetyafety ... See MoreSee Less

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Stop Loan Sharks England

2 days ago

Stop Loan Sharks England
It was a pleasure to welcome representatives from the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) to Birmingham yesterday.FCA chair Ashley Alder and non-executive board member John Ball met with our head of service, Dave Benbow, and Cath Wohlers, manager of our LIAISE Team to discuss the work taking place across England to tackle illegal money lending and support people who have borrowed from loan sharks.The England Illegal Money Lending Team works closely with the FCA to disrupt illegal lending, bring offenders to justice, and ensure borrowers get the support they need.It was a valuable opportunity to share insights on recent operations and successful loan shark prosecutions, and to talk about the regulation landscape for those providing financial services in England.Thank you to Ashley and John for taking the time to visit us!#FinancialSafety#stoploansharksengland ... See MoreSee Less

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Stop Loan Sharks England

5 days ago

Stop Loan Sharks England
We turned up the heat on loan sharks last week as we took Operation Sharknet to the streets of Wychavon.We were out in Droitwich, Pershore and Evesham, raising awareness of the dangers of illegal lending alongside Platform Housing Group, Citizen, Rooftop Housing Group, West Mercia Police and Wychavon District Council.A big thank you to everyone who supported and took part!#opsharknet#stoploansharksengland ... See MoreSee Less

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Stop Loan Sharks England

6 days ago

Stop Loan Sharks England
🕹️ There’s still time to change the gameHelp Alex complete his mission 👾Design, code, or remix parts of our Stop Loan Sharks game and make a difference.🏆 Amazon vouchers to be won👾 Separate prizes for under & over 16s👉 Get involved:www.stoploansharks.co.uk/game-over-for-loan-sharks/#GameOverForLoanSharks ... See MoreSee Less

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SLSEngland
slsengland Stop Loan Sharks England @slsengland ·
3 Jul

A man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after illegally lending more than £4.7m.
A great result following a joint investigation with @Merton_Council Trading Standards and @metpoliceuk
Full story: https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/loan-shark-who-lent-more-than-4-7m-is-jailed/

Reply on Twitter 2073051176677896197 Retweet on Twitter 2073051176677896197 Like on Twitter 2073051176677896197 Twitter 2073051176677896197
slsengland Stop Loan Sharks England @slsengland ·
2 Jul

Thanks to Ashley Alder and John Ball from @TheFCA for visiting us in Birmingham yesterday.
It was great to discuss our work tackling loan sharks, recent enforcement successes and how we continue to support borrowers across England.
#StopLoanSharks #CommunitySafety

Reply on Twitter 2072596419404321250 Retweet on Twitter 2072596419404321250 Like on Twitter 2072596419404321250 1 Twitter 2072596419404321250
slsengland Stop Loan Sharks England @slsengland ·
28 Jun

🕹️ There’s still time to change the game
Help Alex complete his mission 👾
Design, code, or remix parts of our Stop Loan Sharks game and make a difference.
🏆 Amazon vouchers to be won
👾 Separate prizes for under & over 16s
👉 Get involved:
https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/game-over-for-loan-sharks/

Reply on Twitter 2071184386087703007 Retweet on Twitter 2071184386087703007 1 Like on Twitter 2071184386087703007 2 Twitter 2071184386087703007
slsengland Stop Loan Sharks England @slsengland ·
25 Jun

📱 It's even easier to report illegal lenders! You can message us on WhatsApp at 07700 102773. Our team is here to help Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. All messages are treated in complete confidence. #StopLoanSharks #SupportWhenYouNeedIt

Reply on Twitter 2070258284473286782 Retweet on Twitter 2070258284473286782 4 Like on Twitter 2070258284473286782 2 Twitter 2070258284473286782
slsengland Stop Loan Sharks England @slsengland ·
23 Jun

🎮 Think you can change the game?
The Stop Loan Sharks Game Challenge is open until 30 June 👾
Play and edit our retro-style computer game and submit your version for a chance to win.
🏆 Amazon vouchers up for grabs
✅ Open to all ages (under & over 16s)
👉 Start now:

Reply on Twitter 2069420533049872650 Retweet on Twitter 2069420533049872650 1 Like on Twitter 2069420533049872650 1 Twitter 2069420533049872650
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What is a loan shark?

If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions you might be borrowing from a loan shark:

  • Did they offer you a quick loan?
  • Did they appear to be a friend at first, but now you're not so sure?
  • Did they say there was no need for any paperwork?
  • Did they add extra charges or huge amounts of interest to your loan?
  • Have they threatened you?
  • Are you scared of people finding out?
  • Have they taken your bank card, passport, or other valuables from you?

What happens after you get in touch?

We will be with you at every step of the way. Our investigators work alongside our Liaise Officers. They will get you the one to one support you need.

After you get in touch with us you will be offered the support you need. If you decide to report a loan shark, our investigators take the information you give us and look into what is going on. Their aim is to gather enough evidence to build a case against the illegal lender.

How we help

Stop Loan Sharks investigate, prosecute and put loan sharks in prison. We are the only organisation in England who have the power to stop loan sharks and illegal money lenders.

Since 2004, we have supported over 32,500 people to get safely away from loan sharks.

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