Warning signs
Information about indications that you may be in financial difficulty
The warning signs that debt is getting out of your control include:
- You have reached your credit limit.
- You can only afford to make the minimum monthly repayments.
- You frequently use the cash advance facility on your credit card (which comes with a very high interest rate) to pay outstanding debts.
- You are short of money to pay for food and basic essentials so you have started to charge these items to your credit card or go without.
- You are not certain of the amount of debt you owe.
- You have had your utilities (telephone, gas, electricity) cut off.
- You often approach family members and close friends for loans of money.
- You have been contacted by a debt collector.
- You pay bills late all the time.
- Your cheques often bounce.