More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A former councillor will take to the streets of Maidstone to protest against a major bank.
Bryan Henderson, 61, who used to be a town representative in Deal, will be joined by Trevor Mealham, 50, from Ashford, handing out leaflets to raise awareness of alleged 'mis-selling' by Lloyds Bank.
The demonstration will take place in Week Street today and tomorrow.
They also plan to be outside the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel on Thursday, at County Hall, to urge Matthew Scott, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), to take action and increase support for victims of white collar crime.
Mr Mealham says after taking out a £200,000 loan, the bank suddenly upped the interest rate.
As a result, he said he had to sell his shares in properties to pay off the repayments and "keep the wolf from the door."
Mr Henderson claims that without his knowledge his endowment policy - a saving scheme attached to his Lloyds mortgage - was cancelled.
He approached the Financial Ombudsman but it rejected his claims, a decision he is appealing.
The pair have held demonstrations across Kent, including Deal, Canterbury and Folkestone, telling people their story and trying to find other victims.
Mr Mealham said they have had more than 100 come forward.
In a bid to raise awareness, Mr Mealham previously went on hunger strike for 10 days.
He said: "It has to be exposed. Victims of bank fraud have nowhere to go. We are starting to really annoy Lloyds now."
Mr Scott said: "I believe that Kent Police is in a strong position to tackle fraud, having created a dedicated Economic Crime Unit and centralised teams of fraud investigators. Many other forces have chosen to reduce or withdraw their specialist teams in favour of a regional response; whereas Kent has increased its establishment and invested in specialist training.
"Over the past two years Mr Mealham has repeatedly been advised that the issues he has raised are based in the Avon and Somerset Police area, and so would not be a matter for Kent Police.
"Both he and Mr Henderson have also been advised that anyone believing they are the victim of a fraud needs to report the matter to Action Fraud - the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime.’
Lloyds Bank have been approached for comment.
