Hoot was featured on BBC NorthWest Tonight on February 9th talking about the benefits of joining a credit union. The piece was part of a bigger story about the dangers of loan sharks and illegal money lenders, and was done in conjunction with the Illegal Money Lending Team.
Filming at our Bolton Town Centre Branch, Chris Canham – Community Engagement Manager talked about the lack of options for affordable credit for people with a poor credit rating or a low income. She went on to say that many people had come to Hoot as their last option for legal and affordable loans, and in doing so, has avoided the clutches of illegal money lenders.
It is estimated that around 8,000 people in Bolton alone may be in the hands of a loan shark. Hoot is one of the many organisations in Bolton working to eradicate this illegal and erroneous activity. These people are paying enormous rates of interest on their loans, with no paperwork and often threats when they miss payments.
If you think you are, or know someone who is the victim of an illegal money lender, contact www.stoploansharks.co.uk to find out how to report confidentially.
