STATISTICS

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The statistics (the victims)

65% female
• 28% with a disability
• 75% on benefits
• 82% without home contents insurance
• 75% in rented accommodation;
• 12% home owners (emerging trend)
• 56% in social housing; 19% private rented
• 63% unemployed, 18% self employed

• 78% found the Loan Shark through a friend
• 46% had borrowed before
• 44% knew Loan Shark before borrowing
• 46% tried to borrow elsewhere first
• 66% had other debts (average £7k+)
• 28% had had benefits check
• 46% considered the Loan Shark a friend!!
 
The are four types of Lender
1. Legal loan operators who openly offer short term loans for APRs of over 2500%
 
2. Banks and similar institutions that require security and huge amounts of assurity that you are a 100% safe risk
 
3. Credit Unions

4 The illegal loan businesses
(Loan Sharks) whoCHARGE massively high interest rates, dish out threats and a never ending pay back plan

Loan Shark behaviours

• Building a client list through social networking –the pub, schools gates, taxi rank...
• Can be claiming benefits whilst making a lot of money
• Frequently not paying any tax on their income
• Often involved in other criminality, and interest fuels capital for this
• Loan Sharks are getting smarter –no longer just a scrap of paper or exercise book but well-hidden memory sticks...

Loan Shark behaviours

• Building a client list through social networking –the pub, schools gates, taxi rank...
• Can be claiming benefits whilst making a lot of money
• Frequently not paying any tax on their income
• Often involved in other criminality, and interest fuels capital for this
• Loan Sharks are getting smarter –no longer just a scrap of paper or exercise book but well-hidden memory sticks...