East Riding Council is to put the dangers of loan sharks in the spotlight at Withernsea’s Blue Light Weekend.
The council’s Your Money team and staff from the Shores Centre in the town will be on hand at the Blue Door Café on August 12-13, offering confidential advice to anyone who thinks they may be a victim of a loan shark.
According to Stop Loan Sharks, if you can answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you might be borrowing from a loan shark:
- Did they offer you a cash loan?
- Did they not give you paperwork?
- Did they add huge amounts of interest to your loan?
- Have they threatened you?
- Are you scared of people finding out?
- Have they taken your bank card, benefit card, passport, watch or other valuables from you?
Councillor Leo Hammond, portfolio holder for communities and public protection, said: “We know these ruthless loan sharks are preying on vulnerable people up and down the country.
“One of our priorities as a council is protecting the vulnerable, and that includes making sure people are not falling victim to this type of financial exploitation.
“Anyone who thinks they may be a victim of loan sharks, or in danger of becoming a victim, please come along, talk to the Your Money team and find out what they can do to help.”
The drop-in event, part of the council’s Help for Households campaign, will be open from 9am to 4pm.
It is running alongside the Blue Light Weekend, a new festival of free family activities in aid of the emergency services.
Hull & East Yorkshire (HEY) Credit Union will also be at the café, offering advice on the small, short-term loans they can offer people facing financial hardship.
The credit union, which is based at the Shores Centre, also helps people save responsibly, with cash incentives available for those who use their savings scheme.
The council’s Help for Households campaign is dedicated to supporting residents who need financial help during the cost-of-living crisis. For more information, visit eastriding.gov. uk/cost-of-living-help-for-households or call 01482 393939.
The Your Money team can help with rent, council tax payments or repaying overpaid housing benefit. Visit eryc.link/your-money, email [email protected] or call 01482 394633.
