Free Loan Shark awareness training

A loan shark is operating in the Spalding area – intelligence has been received to suggest there is an active loan shark operating out of the Spalding area. It is important to raise awareness of the support available to those in debt to a loan sharks and as such there will be 2 free training sessions offered to professionals covering this area.

Loan Shark Awareness Training 

In 2022 it was estimated that 1.08 million people were in debt to a loan shark. Given the current financial climate this number is likely to be increasing daily. Low income and long standing health conditions put people at a greater risk of turning to a loan shark for that quick loan they desperately need.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (also known as Stop Loan Sharks) is a national organisation that investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides specialist support for people affected by this crime. When people are in desperate need of some quick cash, loan sharks may seem like the answer – but they’re not. Loan sharks are criminals. They don’t care about a person’s situation; they just want to make money out of them. They will pretend to be their friend and make them feel that they are helping them out, but they are not.

The team are delivering the following  training sessions on Tuesday 30 September 2025 to help you understand the world of illegal money lending and its impact on the borrowers. It will help you to spot the red flags for people who are in debt to a loan shark and then how to signpost them to specialist support.

Stop Loan Sharks have helped thousands of people escape the clutches of illegal money lenders. People can speak to a member of their support team in confidence by calling 0300 555 2222 (24 Hour), emailing reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk, or via live chat on their website.