How do I report a loan shark?

For people who have borrowed money from unlicensed lenders.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

You can report loan sharks anonymously:

England: 0300 555 2222 (24 hours) or text 07860 022 116
Wales: 0300 123 3311
Scotland: 0800 074 0878
Northern Ireland: 0300 123 6262

Check if a lender is authorised on the FCA's Financial Services Register.

Key facts

Report anonymously
England: 0300 555 2222
Check the FCA register

What a loan shark is

A loan shark is an illegal moneylender. Loan sharks often charge very high interest rates. Legal lenders must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the body that regulates them.

How to check if a lender is legal

Before you borrow, search for the lender on the FCA's Financial Services Register. If they are not on the register, they are not authorised.

If you are not sure, you can ask the FCA:

FCA contact	Details
Phone	0800 111 6768
Opening hours	Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday, 9am to 1pm
Email	consumer.queries@fca.org.uk

Who to report a loan shark to

Each nation has its own team.

Where you live	Who to contact	Phone
England	Illegal Money Lending Team (Stop Loan Sharks)	0300 555 2222, 24 hours. Or text 07860 022 116
Wales	Stop Loan Sharks Wales	0300 123 3311, 24 hours
Scotland	Trading Standards Scotland	0800 074 0878, 24 hours
Northern Ireland	Trading Standards Consumerline	0300 123 6262

In England, you can also report by email to reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or through the Stop Loan Sharks website. Wales and Scotland have online reporting too, and in Northern Ireland you can use the Consumerline website.

How to report, step by step

Find the right team for where you live in the table above.
Call, text, email or report online, whichever feels safest for you.
Give as much detail as you can, for example who lent the money, how much, when, and what they have asked you to pay back.
Keep any messages, notes or records of payments you have made. These can help the team build a case.

If you are in danger

If you are being threatened or someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For other crimes that are not an emergency, call the police on 101.

Free help with debt

If you borrowed from a loan shark because money is tight, free debt advice can help you deal with what you owe. Citizens Advice can give free, confidential help and point you to other free debt services.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Report a loan shark, GOV.UK
Report a crime, GOV.UK

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check the FCA register

Common questions

What is a loan shark?

A loan shark is an illegal moneylender who often charges very high interest rates.

How can I check if a lender is legal?

Search the Financial Services Register, which lists the companies and individuals authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Are the loan shark reporting lines open 24 hours?

Yes, the lines for England, Wales and Scotland are open 24 hours. In England you can also text 07860 022 116.

What should I do if a loan shark threatens me?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

Official sources

1.Report a loan sharkwww.gov.uk/report-loan-shark
2.Report a crimewww.gov.uk/report-crime

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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