You can receive confidential advice from experts and learn about the fight against Loan Sharks at an event in Worcester next week.
Bite Back – an event organised by Worcester City Council - will be held at the Guildhall in High Street on Thursday 30 May between 11am and 2pm.
Drop-in to the Guildhall on the day and talk to the team anonymously and confidentially about any problems you are having with Loan Sharks.
Worcester City Council's Communities Committee Chair, Jabba Riaz said: "It's important that you don't remain silent if you are being impacted by Loan Sharks.
"The illegal lender is the criminal and experts will be at this event to give you confidential advice if you have become a victim of a Loan Shark.
"It's also important that people are aware of the dangers, so you don't fall victim to illegal lenders in the future."
The event is being held in partnership with Platform Housing Group and the England Illegal Money Lending Team, who investigate Loan Sharks.
The City Council's Community Safety team will be one of the agencies on hand to answer any questions and give advice in the battle against Loan Sharks.
Bite Back aims to raise awareness about the dangers of Loan Sharks and promote safer alternatives such as credit unions.
There will also be the chance to grab a selfie with Sid the Shark who will be attending the event.
Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, also known as Stop Loan Sharks, said: "This Bite Back event is a great way for people to find out more about the dangers of illegal lenders and we are grateful to our partners for helping raise awareness.
"We know it can be difficult for people to admit they have borrowed from an illegal lender – some people may not even be aware that their lender is operating illegally.
"The warning signs include being given no paperwork or information about the loan, being asked to hand over items like bank cards or a passport as security, and being asked to make huge repayments. Usually, the amount borrowed never seems to decrease and you start to be threatened or intimidated if you can't pay.
"The important thing to remember is you have done nothing wrong, the illegal lender is the criminal."
If you are in debt to an illegal lender, you can get in touch with the England Illegal Money Lending Team in confidence. For specialist advice and support call their hotline number on 0300 555 2222, which is available 24/7.
Alternatively, you can visit their website www.stoploansharks.co.uk where there are details of other ways to get in touch, alongside a Live Chat facility.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team campaign has the message 'No Blame, No Shame' for anyone who has borrowed from a Loan Shark.
Their research shows that many borrowers do not try to find help until two years after they first take out a loan from an illegal money lender.
Since the England Illegal Money Lending Team launched 20 years ago it has supported over 31,500 people and written off over £91.2 million worth of illegal debt.
They have also secured over 416 prosecutions for illegal money lending, leading to criminals being sentenced to 598 years in jail.
