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Online debt counseling doubles in past month
A national debt charity has seen more that 8,000 customers use its online debt counseling tool in January, an increase of 51% from the previous month.
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) reported that 8,591 people used its online counseling tool, CCCS debt remedy last month, more than double the number of people during the month before.
The charity reported that nearly 66,000 people completed counseling through the CCCS debt remedy last year and it predicts a dramatic rise in 2011. It said that this will be due to increasing demand on household budgets such as inflation and tax changes.
The charity has also expressed its concern over the uncertainty over public funding for free debt advice. It has stressed that the capacity of CCCS’ debt remedy along with continued support from the credit industry, will allow it to provide free debt advice for whoever needs it.
Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS external affairs director, said: “The next year will be very difficult for many people and I am concerned that those struggling with debt will end up being charged for debt advice because they are unaware that free advice and support is available.
“I hope that the availability of this free service will help prevent people paying for debt advice unnecessarily,” added Corinaldi.