Loan Shark Awareness Week highlights the impact of illegal money lending. At Gentoo, we support national and local efforts by providing ongoing help for customers, ensuring they can access safe and confidential support all year round.
Loan sharks often target people who are struggling financially, offering quick cash with no paperwork or safeguards in place. While they can appear friendly or trusted at first, illegal lenders often add extra charges, refuse to explain the debt, and can use pressure, threats or intimidation when repayments fall behind.
We work closely with Northumbria Police and the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) to help tackle illegal money lending and money laundering in local communities. This partnership approach recently led to a man being arrested in Washington, Tyne and Wear, following a joint operation where officers recovered a mobile phone and paperwork linked to suspected illegal lending.
Following any police conviction linked to illegal money lending, we will take appropriate legal action against the customer responsible, where relevant, to help keep neighbourhoods safe and protect other residents.
We have also signed the Stop Loan Sharks Charter, alongside dozens of local organisations, pledging to raise awareness, share information and work together to tackle loan sharks across Sunderland.
Chris Roberts, Director of Customer said: “We’re committed to making sure our customers know how to spot and report loan sharks, and what to do if they’ve been affected. We also want our colleagues to feel confident in offering the right support.
"By working closely with Northumbria Police, the Illegal Money Lending Team and other partners, we’re helping keep our communities safe and supporting people to regain control. The people breaking the law are the loan sharks, not those they target.”
According to the Centre for Social Justice, up to 1.08 million people in England may be in debt to a loan shark. Warning signs of a loan shark include:
- No paperwork or written agreement
- Refusal to explain the loan or how much you owe
- Being asked to hand over items like a bank card, passport or phone as security
- The debt growing even though repayments are being made
- Threats, intimidation or pressure if you miss a payment
Loan sharks are often well known within communities and may be introduced through friends or family. They do not carry out affordability checks and can leave people unable to pay rent or other priority bills, causing serious stress and long‑term impact.
Anyone affected by illegal money lending can contact Stop Loan Sharks in complete confidence:
- 24/7 helpline: 0300 555 2222
- WhatsApp: 07700 102773 (9am–8pm, Monday to Friday)
- Online: www.stoploansharks.co.uk (including Live Chat)
Support is confidential, non‑judgemental and focused on helping people regain control and move forward safely.
Loan sharks play games with people’s lives. Together, we can help make it game over.
