Shoppers urged avoid crippling credit card debts

SHOPPERS will be crippled by debt in the New Year if they overuse credit offered by banks and lending agencies, the Director of Consumer Affairs warned yesterday.

Carmel Foley said consumers using credit cards rather than cash in the days leading up to Christmas Day will result in major overspending.

"It's never been easier to get credit and people seem to be forgetting that very large bills will start arriving in January.