When safe borrowing options are limited, risky lenders can step in. Here’s safer ways to get money quickly, and how a credit score can open up better options.
We’ve all been in a tight spot when we need money quickly, but lenders don’t always say yes. A low or non-existent credit score can shut the door early, leaving us looking for alternatives.
Loan sharks move in when we can’t access safe borrowing, and that’s what Stop Loan Shark Week, from 11th – 17th of May, is focusing on.
Stop Loan Shark Awareness Week
Loan sharks feed on our vulnerable situations. They offer fast cash with no checks, but they don’t follow any rules. They can increase what we owe without warning, demand repayments on their terms, and use pressure or threats if we fall behind. What starts as a small loan can quickly become a much larger problem.
Stop Loan Shark Week is shining a light on how these situations develop. Illegal lenders rely on moments like this, when options feel limited and people are unsure where to turn.
They don’t always look obvious either. As the campaign highlights, they can present themselves as someone you trust, offering help when it feels like there’s no other way forward.
More than a million people in the UK are estimated to be in debt to loan sharks.
So how do we get the money we need without falling into that trap, and how do we build better options so we’re not stuck there again?
Safer ways to get money quickly
If lenders turn us down, safer options still exist.
Credit unions are often a good place to start. They’re not-for-profit, offer smaller and more affordable loans, and focus on manageable repayments. In some cases, they can also help build a credit history at the same time.
To find your local credit union click here, or call ✆ 0161 832 3694.
If the problem is an urgent bill, speaking directly to the provider can help. Energy companies, councils and other services often allow payment plans or short-term breathing space, especially if we get in touch early.
There may also be support through benefits or local schemes that can help cover short-term gaps without borrowing at all.
These routes may not feel as quick as cash in hand, but they are regulated and designed to protect us.
How to avoid getting stuck again
A big reason people run out of safe options is a low or missing credit score.
Lenders use it to decide what to offer and what it will cost. A stronger score opens up more choice and better rates, while a weak one limits options.
Building a credit score doesn’t have to mean taking on lots of debt. Things like rent payments or everyday bills can sometimes help build a track record, and over time that can make it easier to access safer borrowing.
For a full guide on how to build a credit score, visit the Quids in! website.
Reporting a loan shark
The Illegal Money Lending Team tackles loan sharks. We can access free and confidential support or report illegal money lending by contacting the 24/7 helplines below.
England: Call ✆ 0300 555 2222, (07700 102773 on Whatsapp, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Wales: Call ✆ 0300 123 3311 or email stoploansharkswales@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Scotland: Call ✆ 0800 074 0878 or email stopillegallending@cosla.gov.uk.
Image: Stop Loan Shark Campaign, 2026
