Report a Loan Shark
Blackpool’s south beach is playing host to a fun day with a difference as local people look to raise awareness of loan sharks. And the centre-piece of the day will be a specially-commissioned 25-foot long shark that will be in the sea, near south pier.
Meanwhile, on Waterloo Road a free craft event will be taking place from 11am-3pm along with other seaside entertainment, including Punch and Judy. Blackpool has one of the highest incidents of illegal money lending in the country and it often goes unreported until the public come forward and tell the authorities about the illegal money lending.Experts will be on hand at the fun day to explain more about how the loan sharks operate and also to give people alternatives to doorstop lending or borrowing from work colleagues.
The fun day was dreamt up by the team at Social Enterprise Solutions, based at the Enterprise Centre on Lytham Road. Managing director, Tony Carr, said: “Illegal money lending is a serious problem and we’re hoping to tackle it in a fun way so that the message gets across. There are lots of ways people can get help with money without resorting to borrowing from people who don’t give you any paperwork that shows how much you owe or keeps increasing the debt and then starts to threaten you if you can’t repay what you owe. In Blackpool, Citizen’s Advice on Whitegate Drive has a range of services to help people in debt and, for people on benefits, they can make sure you’re claiming what you are entitled to, so you are less likely to fall into money difficulties.”
Social Enterprise Solutions will be working with the England Illegal Money Lending Team, part of the National Trading Standards.
Tracy Fairhurst from the Illegal Money Lending Team in the North West, said: “I hope lots of people come down to Waterloo Road to have a good time, get involved with the events taking place and find out more information about how loan sharks operate in Blackpool.”
Remember, if you or a friend have borrowed money from a loan shark you haven’t broken the law – they have. If you are worried about this talk to a debt adviser or call the confidential number 0300 555 2222 which is charged at local rate or online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk
