Credit card holders owing multiple debts 'backed into corner'

People in one part of New South Wales are finding credit cards increasingly difficult to manage, a financial counsellor claims.

Maxine Wright, of the Forster Neighbourhood Centre, points out that this time last year she was advising around 80 people every week.

Just 12 months later, however, this has risen to 160 as the credit crunch continues to make its presence felt on consumers.

"It started last year and it's been building and building with more people facing credit card and mortgage debts," she tells the Great Lakes Advocate.

Pointing out that many of those are facing bankruptcy because they "don't want to admit defeat", Ms Wright claims Aussies credit customers often find themselves running up high amounts of debts on multiple cards as "they back themselves into a corner", while she adds an increasing number of older people are seeking help with their money.

Meanwhile, Joanna Townsend, writing in a Nine Network blog, urged those over the age of 55 to take steps to negotiate the interest payable on their credit cards.