WhatsApp service to be extended after successful launch

The England Illegal Money Lending Team is extending the operating hours of its new WhatsApp messaging service after receiving dozens of messages within the first weeks of its launch.

The service, which was introduced in October last year (2025), provides people who have been targeted by loan sharks with a discreet and accessible way to seek support and report illegal lending. In the first eight weeks since its launch, the WhatsApp service received around 40 messages, showing strong demand for the new contact option.

Previously available between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, the service will now operate from 9am until 8pm, starting on Monday, February 2nd, giving people more opportunity to get in touch at a time that suits them.

Dave Benbow, head of the Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), said:
“We launched the WhatsApp service to make it as easy as possible for people to contact us and access support, and we have been blown away by the response.

“When people message us, they reach a real person, not an automated system. Until now, the service was available during standard office hours, but by extending these hours we can reassure people that expert advice and support will be available for longer each day.

“We will continue to operate our 24/7 helpline and monitor reports made via email and our website, but we know that many people feel comfortable using WhatsApp – it allows them to send messages or images, pause conversations, and return to them at their own convenience – which offers real advantages.

“Some of the calls we have had have been enquiries and requests for advice, and some have turned into real reports which are now under investigation. This is another key way in which we can gather information to get illegal lenders off our streets.

“However people choose to get in touch, every call or message is treated in complete confidence. We are here to help, not to judge.”

WhatsApp messages can be sent to 07700 102773 and will be monitored and responded to by an IMLT officer between 9am and 8pm. The service is discreet, and the IMLT’s Stop Loan Sharks logo will not appear on screen.

There are up to 1.08 million people in debt to loan sharks in England, according to figures from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

The IMLT, known as Stop Loan Sharks England, is a national organisation, hosted by Birmingham City Council. It was created in 2004 to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and support borrowers. Over the past two decades it has supported over 33,000 people and written off over £92 million worth of illegal debt, securing over 430 prosecutions for illegal money lending, leading to over 612 years in jail.

Many illegal money lenders are well known within communities and are often introduced to borrowers through friends or family members. They are unregulated and give loans with no paperwork, adding high charges. They can resort to threats, intimidation and even violence if repayments are not made.

These lenders do not complete affordability checks on borrowers, who do not have the protection of consumer law such as cancellation periods and the ability to apply for help if they can’t pay. This causes huge amounts of stress and can impact their other finances – leaving them unable to pay rent or other priority bills.

The warning signs of an illegal lender include:

• Giving you no paperwork or agreement on a loan 
• Refusing to give you information about the loan 
• Keeping items until the debt is paid such as your bank card or passport
• Taking things from you if you don’t pay on time 
• Adding more interest or charges so the debt never goes down 
• Using intimidation or violence if you don’t pay

Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should get in touch with Stop Loan Sharks as soon as possible.

They can send a WhatsApp message to 07700 102772, call the 24/7 helpline on 0300 555 2222 or email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.co.uk

There is a reporting form, a Live Chat facility and more information on the website at  www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.