CREDIT UNIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER YET? There’s still time for you to join your local credit union! If you join between now and the end of the year and deposit £10.00 into your account, we’ll re-imburse any joining fees and pay back your £10.00. It is a great way to save. Simply join your local credit union between now and Christmas then call the Customer Service Centre on 08451 400 100 and give them your credit union membership details.
HOME ENERGY CHECK To find out how much energy you could save in your home, fill out the Energy Saving Trust’s online home energy check at www.energysaving trust.org.uk. Alternatively, call the free phone advice number on 0800 512 012 to receive impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient as well as getting advice on any grants you may be eligible for.
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Scotland’s illegal loan sharks under attack Illegal loan sharks who prey on vulnerable people continue to be a problem throughout Scotland, the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit has advised. “We know that many people on low incomes simply cannot access affordable sources of credit and are frequently forced to seek out expensive alternatives such as illegal moneylenders. Often known as loan sharks they claim to be providing a community service, befriending people with debt worries and those in areas of deprivation. Offered an apparent short-term lifeline, their victims are then likely to find themselves faced with extortionate interest www.linkhousing.org.uk
rates or unachievable repayment periods. Illegal lenders will often take security for a loan in the form of a bank card or post office account card, giving clients no access to their own money without the lender’s sayso. The penalty for non payment can be intimidation, violence and even being forced into criminal activities such as drug dealing or prostitution.” Anyone who is a victim of a loan shark, or knows a friend or family member who is affected by their activities can call the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit on 0300 555 2222. Calls are completely confidential.