Time to Bite Back against loan sharks as week long initiative comes to Sunderland
The fight against loan sharks is coming to Sunderland next week (March 10 - 14) when city residents will be able to find out more about how to stay safe from illegal lenders.
Starting on Monday (March 10), with workshops throughout the city, the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is working with a host of local partners to stage the Bite Back Week.
The workshops will look to raise awareness about the dangers of loan sharks and ways that people can borrow safely. The team can also offer advice and support to anyone who thinks they may have borrowed from a loan shark already.
Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: “Illegal lenders are often well known in communities and this Bite Back Week aims to reach anyone who might be vulnerable, or who might have been targeted already.
“We’d love to see lots of people at these events where they can get helpful advice and information about how to avoid illegal money lenders and borrow safely.
“Big thanks to all our partners who are working with us on this week of action, they are our eyes and ears in local communities and their support in helping us identify and tackle illegal lending to make those communities safer is invaluable.”
One of those partners involved in the week is Sunderland City Council.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Beth Jones said: “There is no place in our city for loan sharks who take advantage of people who are struggling with their household finances.
“Residents concerned about their bills and outgoings can always speak to commissioned advice providers such as Citizens Advice Sunderland, SHARP and Sunderland West Advice Project or take up opportunities like these visits from the national team.
“There are many and far better ways of borrowing safely and managing money than going to a loan shark.
“Working together and with local information we can all help put a stop to the illegal lenders who prey on people. Borrowing money from a loan shark might seem easy, convenient or even tempting, but it can make financial problems much, much worse.”
Other organisation involved in the week long initiative include Barclays, Durham Constabulary, Moneywise Credit Union, North East First Credit Union, Northumberland Community Bank, Sunderland Citizens Advice, The Bread and Butter Thing, Sunderland Foodbank, SHARP (Shiney Advice and Research Project), NECA Gambling Service, Gentoo Homes, Foundation of Light, Sunderland College and The Galleries.
Bite Back Week venues
- On Monday, March 10, the team will be at the Gentoo offices in City Hall, Plater Way, from 9.30am to noon and then at the Bread and Butter Thing at Chance, Rickerby Street, East End, from 1pm.
- On Tuesday, March 11, they will be at the Beacon of Light School in Stadium Park.
- On Wednesday, March 12, from 10am to 1pm, the team, along with mascot Sid the Shark, will be at The Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington.
- On Thursday March 13, they will be visiting Sunderland College - Bede Campus from 9.30am to noon and City Campus from 1pm to 3pm.
- On Friday, March 14, they will be at the Bread and Butter Thing at Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project, in Southwick Road, from 11am.
During the week, staff from Learning Styles, a partnership between Sunderland City Council, Unison, GMB and Unite Trade Unions, and from Moneywise Credit Union will also be staging information sessions around finances with council staff.
The IMLT is a national team that was created in 2004 to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders and support borrowers.
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call its 24/7 confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk.
Live Chat with advisors is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.