Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall gets national award for work to stop loan sharks

Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall has won national recognition for its work supporting the fight against loan sharks. The branch has become an official accredited partner of the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) – also known as "Stop Loan Sharks" .

What Did They Do?

The branch has:

• Raised awareness about Stop Loan Sharks on social media, in waiting rooms, and at events
• Trained over 70 staff and volunteers in specialist Stop Loan Sharks training to help support those affected by illegal lending 

The Impact

During 2025, the branch helped more than 18,000 residents – a record-breaking number .

Why This Matters

The IMLT, which is hosted by Birmingham City Council, investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports borrowers. Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: "Partners like this are an invaluable help in getting these criminals removed from communities, protecting the most vulnerable and making everyone feel a little bit safer" .

The Nature of Illegal Money Lending

Many illegal money lenders are well known within their communities and are often introduced to borrowers through friends or family members. They are unregulated and give loans with no paperwork, often adding charges and high interest. They can resort to threats, intimidation, and even violence if repayments are not made .

How Borrowers Are Harmed

Because these lenders are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) , borrowers are not protected by:

• FCA rules on responsible lending
• Fairness in debt collection
• The Financial Ombudsman Service
• Consumer protections that allow cancellation periods
• The right to information about their agreement 

What You Can Learn

• Loan sharks often operate within communities – they are not always strangers
• If a lender offers no paperwork, that is a major red flag
• You have rights if you borrow from an FCA-authorised lender. If there is no authorisation, you have no protection.
• Report loan sharks to the Stop Loan Sharks Helpline: 0300 555 2222