STOP DEBTS MOUNTING

DEBT can quickly mount and spiral out of control. The worst thing to do is ignore it.

Debt advice is best sought from a debt charity which can act on your behalf, free of charge. Steer clear of debt help or loan consolidation companies. They charge for advice and fees only add to your existing debts.

As long as you can prove you have sought help or can show you are trying to repay your debt, collectors won’t contact you for at least 30 days thanks to an agreement between the Government and the Credit Services Association. Try National Debtline ( nationaldebtline. 0808 808 4000), StepChange Debt Charity ( stepchange.org, 0800 138 111), Debt Advice Foundation ( debtadvicefoundation. 0800 043 40 50).