Illegal Lending Practices

noun A person who lends money in exchange for personal property as security

• The government is cracking down on illegal lending practices, including those of loan sharks.
• I heard that Tony got mixed up with a loan shark and now he's in big trouble.
• Stay away from that guy, he's a real loan shark.
• The company's high interest rates were likened to those of a loan shark preying on desperate customers.

noun A person or organization that engages in loan sharking

• Loan sharking is considered illegal and unethical in most countries.
• I heard that Tony got involved in loan sharking to make some quick cash.
• Stay away from those guys, they're known for their loan sharking activities.
• The company's high interest rates felt like a form of loan sharking to its customers.