Loan Sharks...!!?

hollister_2

Hello,

I have got myself into a situation where I think I may have lent money from a loan shark. I am not 100% however different things seem to point in that direction. I will go through some of the things and would be grateful of feed back and advice on what I should do and whether I am just being paranoid. I would just like to point out I know how stupid it was but it got to a point where it was either eat and be able to afford to get to work, or starve and not be able to get to work and end up getting sacked.

I borrowed some money through a company I found of Gumtree. I did a bit of google work and found them to have a website, and also that they required the same amounts of ID and Proofs as most other short term loan providers, however their email address was at yahoo.co.uk, but I thought nothing of it and I assumed it was just another service similar to Provident so sent in the application and was approved. When the money was delivered two people came, which may have just been as safety for them, however it felt quite intimidating, one was built like a doorman but the other was quite skinny. The first repayment was due a month later which I did by bank transfer however noticed that the bank account wasn’t a business account, it appeared to be a personal Barclays Bank Account? However this month my last payment is due and they have emailed to say it needs to be made in cash and to arrange for a representative to come and collect it from me rather than it going through a bank transfer. This would be the last repayment as it was only a short term loan, however I am now really paranoid for my safety and whether or not they are in fact loan sharks who are now going to try and get more and more out of me?

Am I right to be concerned? Has anyone else experienced anything similar? What should I do?

Thanks
:mad::(

bengalknights

When you pay the final amount request a statement stating that the debt is fully repaid and nothing is due.It does sound very likely that you are using a loan shark although a nicer one that doesnt hound you weekly for extra interest etc.

antrobus

A lender who insisits on be paying repaid in cash? It does sound a bit iffy doesn't it? On the other hand I've never heard of a bona fide loan sharking operation with a website that advertises on Gumtree. I mean, if you're running a loan sharking business the last thing you do is advertise it. It's all strictly word-of-mouth you understand. I suspect that the lender in question is more likely a local small-scale Provident type lender, and they send round some big bloke built the proverbial lavatory simply because they know what conclusions their borrowers will then come to.

Emmzi

maybe they want to see you for the last payment to try and sell you another loan?

Devils-Advocate_3

When they come for the last payment, pay up, request a statement if possible, and never do something so silly again. And decline any further loans they may offer you!

rhcp

Do everything on the doorstep, do not let them into your home. And make sure you get a receipt for the cash payment.

birkee

Wouldn't it have been better to ask for advice first, before jumping into what sounds like a cess pit?

Apples2

The OP has a cracking posting history.

Short term loans, trouble with creditors, Vanquis Card, Cash finance direct issues followed by...... I'm looking at buying a brand new Apple Laptop from PC World.!!

stavros1981

I would recommend you meet them somewhere public of have quite a few people at your home when they come over. Not to start a riot or anything silly but just to have "support"

sp1987

Apples2 wrote: »

The OP has a cracking posting history.

Short term loans, trouble with creditors, Vanquis Card, Cash finance direct issues followed by...... I'm looking at buying a brand new Apple Laptop from PC World.!!

You? Cynical? Now I really have heard it all

KingElvis

LOL You're a financial nightmare mate, One day you're going to get yourself into serious trouble by the sounds of it.