CREDIT cards and irresponsible lending are now major causes of financial problems, according to the York District Citizen's Advice Bureau.
The bureau says debts and benefits are now the two single biggest areas of inquiry it handled. The bureau is approached by financially desperate people to act as a third party between themselves and credit companies.
Louise Smithson, debt franchise supervisor at the CAB, deals with individuals with debt problems on a daily basis.
She said that readily-available credit cards and irresponsible lending had become a major factor in promoting debt.
"These companies will look at people's mortgage and income, but not bother to examine any other debts they may already have.
"A snowball affect can be created where people acquire many different loans they cannot afford to pay back."
Updated: 11:22 Thursday, August 11, 2005
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