Stop Loan Sharks Education Packs

FAIRshare was pleased to learn of this morning’s launch of Stop Loan Sharks Education Packs. The educational packs, which include videos featuring cartoon characters, are funded with proceeds of confiscated crime money & will teach money management at schools across England.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team have used funds confiscated from loan sharks to develop a wide range of teaching materials that will educate children and young people about the dangers of loan sharks and help them to manage their money wisely to avoid being trapped in the future. Aimed at 5 -19 year olds with tailored packs available for primary and secondary school teachers, they encourage young people to think about their needs and wants, develop an understanding of credit and sensitively look at the issues of loan sharks.

An estimated 310,000 individuals across the country are in debt to a loan shark. Loan sharks trap borrowers into spiralling debt, and have been known to resort to intimidation, violence, threats or worse to force people into paying back far more than they have borrowed and can afford.

FAIRshare Credit Union is safe, cheaper, reliable, regulated and local, and is one of the best ways to beat the loan sharks.

If you or anyone you know has been the victim of a loan shark, please contact 0300 555 2222 in confidence.  To report a loan shark:

Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222

Text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003

E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

Private message us on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

For more information on the Stop Loan Sharks Education Packs visit http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/extra/news-item.cfm/newsid/1426.  To download a pack visit http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/stoploansharks