Crackdown on money lenders
A CRACKDOWN on loan sharks cashing in on Christmas has been launched in Selby to cut out the misery of ripping people off.
The new campaign against loan sharks has been launched by North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards officers, in partnership with the England Illegal Money Lending Team.
Through enforcement action, awareness raising and education the campaign is designed to encourage people to celebrate the season without turning to an illegal money lender.
The event in Selby was attended by representatives of organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau and community groups. The message from the event was clear – what may seem like a small loan to tide people over for Christmas, could end up costing them well into the New Year and beyond. The effect is not just financial as the impact on the lives of victims and their families can be horrific.
“In the majority of cases victims are introduced to the lender either through a friend, family member or because they are known in the community,” said County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for Trading Standards. Loan sharks rarely offer paperwork and are unclear on the terms of the loan, so borrowers are completely in the dark as to how much they are actually paying. Extra amounts and interest payments are added completely at random, so the debt spirals to be never-ending.”
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Weather for Goole
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
