Loan Sharks: No blame, no shame – your lender is in the wrong, not you. Loan sharks are expert manipulators, it is often how they persuade people to borrow from them in the first place, and later it’s how they keep people trapped in a cycle of debt. They will pretend to be a borrower’s friend, and appear to be offering a favour, turning up with a promise of cash just at the point when they need it most. But instead of finding the expected relief from their financial struggles, borrowers find themselves plunged further and further into debt, and feel trapped with no way out. In 2023, Stop Loan Sharks supported almost 800 people who had borrowed from loan sharks, helping them escape the clutches of their lender. Of those, 17 per cent had borrowed more than 10 times and 14 per cent did not remember exactly how many times they’d borrowed. This shows how people can end up in a cycle of borrowing again and again to repay what they owe. The amount they owe keeps rising and they never manage to repay the total. Stop Loan Sharks statistics also show that it can sometimes take borrowers more than two years to finally report a loan shark. So why does it take so long for people to seek help? The loan shark’s manipulative tactics don’t end when someone takes a loan. In order to maintain control of the borrower, the lender can use a variety of tactics – sometimes it is violence, or threats of violence, but often it is intimidation and the fear that the borrower will be exposed and shamed. Borrowers are made to feel as though they have done something wrong and become fearful of their family or friends finding out. But they should feel no blame or shame as they have done nothing wrong. They have been targeted and exploited by a criminal – the loan shark – and it is them who should carry all the blame and shame, not the borrower. Of the victims support by Stop Loan Sharks last year 81 per cent were in a state of extreme stress, worry or depression because of their involvement with the loan shark. Stop Loan Sharks has a team of specialist officers who recognise this and have the tools and experience to help people in this position escape the clutches of the illegal lender and start the journey back to financial safety. They are there to help and will not judge. This year is the 20th anniversary of Stop Loan Sharks. Over the past two decades, it has supported over 31,500 people, written off over £91.2 million worth of illegal debt and secured over 416 prosecutions for illegal money lending, leading to 598 years in jail. A loan shark, or illegal money lender, is someone who lends money without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority. They are not bound by rules that exist to protect borrowers.
The signs of an illegal lender include:
- Being given no paperwork or details about the loan
- Being told to make repayments that add up to much more than you initially borrowed
- Being intimidated or threatened you if you struggle to pay
- Being told to hand over items like bank cards or a passport until you can pay
If someone does need to borrow, there are options available, Credit unions, for example, offer a safe alternative to the mainstream banks and lenders. Visit www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk to find one nearest to you. If you think you have been targeted by a loan shark, you can contact Stop Loan Sharks by calling the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222 or joining the live chat which is available on the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
What is ScamSceptible? Scammers can try to take advantage of how you're feeling. Sometimes you might be more susceptible to their tactics. Tiredness, stress and even the time of day can play a role! Try Take Five’s tool to test how susceptible you could be to a scam today https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/scamtest
Unsafe Ladders: Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team stopped 24 separate consignments of ladders being imported through the port of Felixstowe last year. 22 of the 24 contained unsafe ladders and 23 of the consignments were refused entry to the UK and destroyed. The 1600 ladders stopped by the team included telescopic ladders of various lengths from 2.6m to 6.2m, step ladders, multi-purpose ladder and extension ladders. In addition to stopping ladders at the port of Felixstowe, the team coordinated a project involving other seaports at Southampton and Thurrock, where a further 1973 unsafe ladders were rejected at the border. Many of the ladders failed strength tests, which means they could buckle and fail whilst in use, resulting in a serious risk that the user could fall from height. Ladders also posed a risk of entrapment to fingers and limbs particularly when disassembling the ladder. When you’re shopping online, it is tempting to pick up those amazing deals that you see on social media or in online marketplaces. But if a price looks too good to be true, there’s usually a reason why. We encourage people to only make purchases from reputable retailers and to check the product for conformity to standards – if these marks are missing, the product hasn’t been tested to ensure it complies with the necessary safety requirements and could be a serious risk. If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Teeth Whitening: Illegal teeth whitening kits for home use can cause burns and damage to gums. Make sure you know what you are buying and who you are buying it from. Always do your research, and always check the label. All teeth whitening kits for sale in the UK must display a UK-based manufacturer or importer’s details. The best teeth whitening results will be achieved by visiting a registered dentist or dental hygienist working to a dentist’s prescription with access to safe and effective teeth whitening products. It is illegal for teeth whitening procedures to be carried out by hair or beauty salons. Rogue salons face tough legal penalties, and their customers risk pain and disfigurement.
Know your limits
- It is illegal for teeth whitening kits for home use to contain more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents that release hydrogen peroxide. For products that are administered by dentists, the legal limit is 6%.
- Teeth whiteners bought from online marketplaces have been found to contain illegal and dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide.
- Some products found for sale online have been found to contain up to 300 times the safe, legal limit of hydrogen peroxide.
For more information, visit: www.tradingstandards.uk/cosmetics
PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED AND SUPPLIED BY BREAD SPREAD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM SALE AND NOT CONSUMED BECAUSE OF SERIOUS FOOD SAFETY RISKS. Environmental Health and Trading Standards Services have been alerted to remove chilled and ready-to-eat products that include baguettes, french sticks, sandwiches, rolls and wraps manufactured and supplied by Bread Spread Ltd, 22 Balfour Business Centre, Balfour Road, Southall, England, UB2 5BD, under the brand name, Bread Spread, Orbital Foods and Perfect Bite because they have not been manufactured in accordance with food law requirements. Listeria monocytogenes has been found in the products. These products are also subject to a number of hygiene and traceability contraventions which makes them unsafe to eat. All food businesses such as catering establishments and corner shops, across the UK supplied by Bread Spread Ltd should withdraw from sale any chilled and ready-to-eat foods and recall from consumers any of these products sold at retail because they are unsafe to eat. Products should be disposed of safely. It is a developing situation, the list of affected products in the link in the comments may be incomplete. All chilled and ready-to eat foods with a use-by date up to and including 18 May 2024 manufactured or supplied by Bread Spread Ltd are affected. If you have purchased any products listed, or any other products that are chilled or ready-to-eat from Bread Spread Ltd, do not eat them. Instead, dispose of the products safely, at home: www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-fafa-01-2024
Tesco is recalling Tesco Sandwich Pickle because it may contain pieces of glass. The possible presence of glass makes this product unsafe to eat.
Pack size: 295g
Batch code: 3254
Best before: 11 September 2025
If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. For more information contact Tesco Customer Services on 0800 505 555.