THE real-life star of Bank of Dave has warned of a loan shark epidemic. Straight-talking Dave Fishwick claims a worrying number of people are being driven into the clutches of illegal money lenders.
It comes amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis for millions of households, with everything from food and energy to clothes busting family budgets.
Dave shot to stardom for his fight to set up his own community bank in Burnley, Lancashire, which became a hit 2023 movie starring Rory Kinnear.
Interviewed at the no-frills offices of Burnley Savings And Loans, he reckons problem lending is "worse now than it was before".
As part of efforts to highlight the dangers, he has worked closely with the Illegal Money Lending Team in England, which investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders while supporting victims.
"It's an epidemic - it's got so bad," said Dave, 53, who made his fortune selling vans and minibuses.
He remembers being told about one person in particular: "She was in her 70s and borrowed a few hundred pounds 10 years ago and she still hasn't paid it off. They are vultures, terrible people.
"Sometimes they let you pay them back but only if they think you will take a bigger loan. It's everywhere."
This story is from the January 15, 2025 edition of Daily Record.
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This story is from the January 15, 2025 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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