Interesting question YMB, I hope I can illustrate the problems by my own experience. My mum died in 2010 but she’d have been the sort of person that would borrow from these sources, primarily because she would not usually repay it. Not because she set out to defraud but because it would inevitably transpire that, despite her intentions and efforts she would never have the money to do it. She would know that but still believe it was possible. These lenders pray on people off the pace, who sincerely believe they need the money NOW, regardless of the astronomical interest rate. That does not compute for them, all they know is that they can have £X now to buy something they invariably don’t need or is not as urgent as they think. Now these people cannot borrow from normal sources because they invariably default. These lenders offer a “service” of sorts, they do provide what the borrowers think they need at a cost. If they go bust then I’m delighted but I am also fearful of where people that need them may turn to replace those facilities.