STANDING in the school gate Michelle was approached with a friendly mum wanting to be mates – but by Christmas she was homeless after falling for a financial loan shark trap.
Mum-of-three Michelle, whose name we have changed to safeguard her identity, had recently moved to the area after escaping an abusive relationship.
Because of this, she was initially cautious about new friends, however the friendly mum at the school gate was determined.
Soon these were meeting up regularly for a cup of tea and, thought Michelle, were close friends.
Michelle said: "Now I think they just spotted which i was a single mum along with a loner.
"By Christmas I couldn't even put up a tree for the kids and have a dining room table to complete them a Christmas dinner.
“I were built with a good job, I came from a good background, and I was still a target. It might occur to anyone.
Hundreds of lots of people are in debt to illegal money lenders in the united kingdom, campaigners warn – and Christmas may be the second most typical reason for borrowing cash.
When Michelle was can not afford a birthday present for her son, her new friend provided to lend her some cash.
“I'm not the sort of person to borrow money, however i had reached the stage where I was really struggling," Michelle told The sun's rays.
“She was my friend and she or he wasn't judging me, so I thought it can't inflict harm.”