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.