Durham Key Options

Residents in County Durham are being urged to join the fight against fraud as part of Tenancy Fraud Awareness Week.

Each year, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of pounds are taken unlawfully from Durham County Council through fraud. This includes council tax and tenancy fraud, as well as false claims for direct payments for social care and support, insurance and blue badges for disabled parking.

Now the council is encouraging anyone who knows of someone committing such fraud, to report it.

Fraud steals money away from vital frontline services and fighting this crime helps us not only protect these services but ensure taxpayers' hard-earned money is not wasted.  But we can’t do this alone, so we are asking anyone who is aware of it or has concerns to let us know.

“We investigate all reports we receive and will not hesitate to prosecute offenders to ensure we protect the public purse.”

Over the last three years the council has recovered or intercepted more than £3million pounds from fraudulent activity.

As well as investigating reports from the public, the council carries out regional and national data matching, as well as working closely with neighbouring local authorities, police and law enforcement agencies.

To report fraud:

Email: corporatefraudteam@durham.gov.uk

Text: 07797 870 192, start your message with the word ‘fraud’

Call 03000 266 745

Visit: www.durham.gov.uk

The group signed up to the Stop Loan Sharks charter in Peterlee on Monday, 28 January.

The charter commits the group to encourage customers to report loan sharks, increase awareness of the risks associated with using illegal money lenders, and help tenants understand legal and affordable alternatives.

The initiative from the England Illegal Money Lending Team is being supported right across County Durham.

County Durham Housing Group has joined forces with the England Illegal Money Lending Team and organisations including Durham County Council, East Durham College and NE First Credit Union to stage a week of action in the Peterlee and Shotton area.

County Durham Housing Group’s Operational Transformation Project Director, Mick Doyle, said: “Loan sharks prey on people who are desperate and cause untold misery in our communities. People need to know that there are much more affordable alternatives where people are not exploited by unscrupulous lenders. In particular, credit unions are community-based and a great way for people to save and borrow.

“I would urge anyone who is aware of loan sharks operating in our communities to report them.”

The charter signing took place as part of a week of action in Peterlee and Shotton to ‘bite back’ at loan sharks.

Hundreds of families were provided with information on avoiding or reporting loan sharks; and local volunteers were trained to help people who have fallen prey to an illegal money lender.

Common signs that a lender could be a loan shark include:

• Being offered a cash loan with no paperwork
• Having huge amounts of interest or annual percentage rate (APR) added to a loan
• Being threatened by a lender
• Having a bank card, benefits card, passport, watch or other valuables taken as ‘payment’.

More help and support on tackling loan sharks is available at www.stoploansharks.co.uk or by calling 0300 555 2222 safely and anonymously.

Residents are being warned not to turn to predatory loan sharks to solve Christmas money worries.  The Stop Loan Sharks project has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the risks posed by illegal money lenders and provide guidance on where help can be found.

Loan sharks do not operate under official financial regulations and can cause extreme misery to those who choose to use them.  Any person lending money should have a consumer credit licence from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Licensed lenders have to comply with legal obligations in dealing with consumers, including the use of official paperwork and fair collection methods. Loan sharks operate illegally without the correct permissions from the FCA.  These criminals often take benefit or bank cards as security and resort to intimidation and violence if victims default.

Loan sharks can charge interest rates running to thousands of per cent, making it impossible for borrowers to repay the loan.  Tips to protecting yourself against Loan Sharks this Christmas:

•Save money regularly, so you are not in urgent need of a loan

•Do not accept cash loans, even if the lender seems friendly or helpful

•Search the FCA Financial Services register to check the lender is legal https://register.fca.org.uk/ If you need to borrow money, credit unions are a safer alternative than borrowing from a loan shark. Visit www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk to find your nearest credit union. If you have been the victim of a loan shark, you can contact the Illegal Money Lending Team in confidence on 0300 555 2222 or stoploansharks.co.uk. Their lines are open around the clock throughout the festive season.