Last updated at 16:33, Monday, 14 January 2013

THE danger of loan sharks is set to be highlighted during a week of special events aimed at keeping people away from the threat of debt.

The Illegal Money Lending Team will be working with Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards to roll out the campaign in Barrow, from January 28 to February 1.

The aim is to warn people about the impact of using loan sharks and to try to encourage them to use safer lenders, such as credit unions.

Angela Jones, Cumbria Trading Standards manager, said: “The impact of loan sharks can be devastating, not only for the victims but for their families.

“They will offer what you believe is a bit of a lifeline, but it turns out to be very high interest rates, it can end up in threats, violence and intimidation. You lose a lot of control.

“This is about raising awareness within the community. The other thing is that, by doing that, we also find we get information about loan shark activity that’s happening.”

The week of action will include a range of events including training sessions for professionals, councillors and other people working in the community.

There will also be leaflets and beer mats handed out in supermarkets and pubs, and mascot Sid the Shark will be hitting the town centre to spread the word.

Mrs Jones said the aim is to reach as many people as possible.

She said: “It’s mainly your general consumers you see having to borrow money to survive but we’ve seen an increase in small businesses being caught out.

“Taxi drivers are one particular group that we’ve had experience of having to resort to loan sharks.

“We know that in difficult financial times, more and more people turn to loan sharks for help but it is important that local people remain vigilant.

“Loan sharks do not provide a community service but can cause misery and fear to their victims.”

Anyone who is a victim of an illegal money lender is urged to contact a confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222.

First published at 16:24, Monday, 14 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk