National loan sharks team return to Plymouth
Just when you thought it was safe… the national team that helps raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks is returning to Plymouth.
The National Illegal Money Lending Team will be holding a series of events across Plymouth during the week commencing Monday 13 July.
Plymouth City Council teamed up with the National Illegal Money Lending Team earlier in the year for the Fishy Finance campaign, to make people in Plymouth aware of alternatives to loan sharks, such as Credit Unions.
During the course of the week the team will be doing the following activities:
- Tuesday 14 July - Presentation to Plymouth’s Safeguarding Board at Windsor House
- Wednesday 15 July – Presentation at JobCentre Plus, Old Tree Court, 64 Exeter Street, Plymouth, PL4 0AJ
- Thursday 16 July – 9.30am – 11am – Presentation to Barnardos – Chatterbox session at High View, Torridge Way, Efford
1pm-5pm - Information stand at the Big Screen, Piazza, Armada Way, Plymouth. All are welcome to come and find out about debt advice, Credit Unions and other alternatives to loan sharks.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Cooperatives and Housing for Plymouth City Council, said: “It is important that we continue to make people aware of the dangers of loan sharks. We are absolutely delighted to welcome back the England Illegal Money
Lending Team to Plymouth, who are working with us on our Fishy Finance awareness campaign, and we are aware of loan sharks operating in Plymouth. We want residents to know there are alternatives.
“Credit Unions are a great way to both save and borrow money in an affordable way and without the high interest rates and crippling debts that make life unaffordable for many people.”
Tony Quigley Head of the Illegal Money Lending Team with the National Stop Loan Sharks project said: “Illegal money lending is a crime and will not be tolerated. Loan sharks often prey on vulnerable people, leaving them in misery and fear and with very little to get by on. If anyone is a victim of a loan shark, or knows of someone who is, we would urge you to speak to us in confidence, as we can help. Our hotline number is 0300 555 2222.”
To find out more about the local campaign, including information on Credit Unions and debt advice, go to www.fishyfinance.co.uk or visit Plymouth City Council (Official) facebook page or @plymouthcc on twitter and search #fishyfinance
National campaign: Follow @loansharknews on twitter and like the facebook page – www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject
