Game over for loan sharks: Debt Free Advice backs national awareness week
Debt Free Advice is supporting Stop Loan Sharks Week (11–17 May), helping to raise
awareness of the risks of illegal lending and ensure people know where to turn for help.
Matt Dronfield, Managing Director of Debt Free Advice, said:
“Illegal lenders often target people when they are at their most vulnerable. It’s important
people know that support is available, and that they won’t get into trouble for asking for
help. Campaigns like Stop Loan Sharks Week play a vital role in raising awareness and
helping people take back control.”
This year’s campaign, “Game over for loan sharks”, highlights how illegal lenders often
disguise themselves as something they’re not, adapting their approach, using social media,
or presenting themselves as someone you can trust.
While it may begin as a quick and easy way to borrow money, the reality can be very
different. Illegal lenders often operate without authorisation, meaning they can charge
excessive interest, change terms without warning, and use pressure or intimidation to keep
people trapped in debt.
As highlighted in the campaign materials, what may seem like a “friendly move” can quickly
become a dangerous situation. Behind the initial offer of help is often a system designed to
maintain control, leaving people feeling stressed, isolated and unsure where to turn.
Debt Free Advice works with people facing financial difficulties every day and understands
how complex and overwhelming these situations can become. The organisation is
encouraging anyone who is worried about a loan now or in the past to seek support as
early as possible.
Recent data from Debt Free Advice shows that, since recording illegal lending as a debt type
in 2025, eight clients have reported loan shark debts, totalling £21,900 — an average of
around £2,700 per person. While numbers are relatively low, these cases highlight the
vulnerability of those affected, with many clients also reporting mental ill health.
There are some common warning signs that a lender may be operating illegally. These
include not providing paperwork, being unclear about how much you owe, asking for more
than you borrowed, or taking personal items such as bank cards as security. In more serious
cases, borrowers may experience threats or intimidation if they fall behind on payments.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), also known as Stop Loan Sharks, provides
free, confidential support to anyone affected. Importantly, people who come forward are
not in trouble — the lender is breaking the law, not the borrower, and reports can be made
anonymously.
Anyone who needs help can contact Stop Loan Sharks 24 hours a day on 0300 555 2222 or
visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk to access live chat and other support options.
By supporting Stop Loan Sharks Week, Debt Free Advice is helping to raise awareness,
challenge illegal lending, and ensure more people know that support is available — and that
there is a way out
