News Help to stop loan sharks

Come and support Maidstone Borough Council’s Community Protection team and the Mayor of Maidstone as they raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal money lenders on Monday 20 January 2020 from 10.30am to 4pm at Jubilee Square in Maidstone town centre.

Kent Trading Standards, Citizens Advice and Kent Savers Union will also be joining them.  All on hand to provide advice and support to anyone who thinks they might be a victim of a loan shark or have debt issues.

James Walker, MBC Community Protection Officer and organiser of the event said:

“Illegal money lenders prey on the vulnerable. Sometimes people may not realise they have been lent money from a loan shark until they start getting threatened. We are trying to get the word out that there are other ways of getting money if someone is desperate. Come along and find out more.”

Maidstone Borough Council has been allocated a grant from the Illegal Money Lending team who offer grants once a year from the proceeds of crime. The money will be spent raising awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks by holding public events like this.

This day is being operated in conjunction with the national Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT). Since 2004, the England IMLT have supported over 29,000 people and written off over £74.9 million worth of illegal debt.

It is estimated that there are 310,000 people in debt to illegal money lenders in the UK. The Illegal Money Lending Teams within the UK investigate and prosecute loan sharks and work to raise awareness about illegal money.

All partners will be signing a charter in the Town Hall at 10am to pledge their commitment in helping to stamp out illegal money lenders.

For more information see the Illegal Money Lending Team website at: http://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/

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