Single Mother – West Wales

This soon got nasty and threatening when I struggled to make repayments. I couldn’t cope financially, or mentally, and ended up being off work on the sick.

As a working single mother to 4 children, I found myself in a difficult situation after borrowing money from a “friend”.

This soon got nasty and threatening when I struggled to make repayments. I couldn’t cope financially, or mentally, and ended up being off work on the sick.

I was afraid that the loan shark would come to my house, and I didn’t want to leave the house in case I saw him. I was miserable and depressed. It was a friend who first told me about Stop Loan Sharks Wales, but I wasn’t keen on getting in touch.

I was afraid I had done something wrong, and that people would think I was stupid. My friend actually rang the number and then handed me the phone. I had no choice. I was surprised to talk to a real person. I thought maybe it would be automated, or I’d have to leave a message or something, but it was a member of the team that I spoke to.

At first, I didn’t give much information to Stop Loan Sharks Wales because I was scared but the team kept in touch with me and never made me feel any pressure to say, or do, anything. After a couple of weeks, I met with the person I had been talking to, and it was good to see a friendly face and I felt reassured. Safe somehow.

I decided to provide more information to the team and gave a statement. I was given support through the whole process; the team were very friendly and approachable and didn’t judge me or think that I was stupid for getting involved with a loan shark. I was helped with all my debts, not just the loan shark debt, I was helped with my housing situation and my designated point of contact within the team was available whenever I needed. I could call her to just talk, to ask for advice, any help I needed and was so reassured by that. The Stop Loan Sharks Wales team have changed my life. I feel like me again. I would tell anyone who finds themselves involved with a loan shark to just make contact with the team. You will talk to a real person who understands and can help you.