New research commissioned by leading instant online credit information provider, Equifax, reveals that nearly a third of UK consumers who don’t pay off their credit card each month, don’t know their current outstanding balance and over half don’t know what interest rate they’re paying. With almost 40% saying they use their credit cards for all or some forms of living expenses, Equifax believes this reveals a worrying lack of knowledge over financial commitments.

Over half of workers surveyed in the Equifax commissioned research also said they have 10% or less of their salary left in the week leading up to payday, with forgotten cash in pockets or even behind the sofa seeing them through to the end of the month.

Key Statistics

Research conducted on behalf of Equifax by OnePoll, 23-24 May 2012 amongst 3,000 consumers 58% women; 42% men

Almost 40% use their credit cards for all or some forms of living expenses

1 in 5 pay off less than 25% of the credit card balance or the minimum payment each month

Of those who don’t pay off all their credit card balance each month, 29.85% don’t know what their current outstanding balance is and 58.44% don’t know what the interest rate is on their credit card

10.10% of workers said they have nothing left in the week leading up to payday; 14.63% have less than 5% remaining and 22.63% have less than 15% to keep them going to payday

34.2% go to family if they need to borrow money with Mum and Dad the favourites at 25.83%. Grandparents are the second option at 8.43% followed closely by brothers or sisters at 8.27%.

32.37% said they were regularly (at least once a month) or fairly frequently (every 2-3 months) overdrawn

In response to this new research, Equifax is urging consumers to conduct a financial health check at least once a year to help them stay in control and avoid the risk of spiralling debt as Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director explained: “It seems, from this latest research we have commissioned, that many UK consumers are living on a financial knife-edge. Even with the latest news that inflation has dropped, it’s still hard for families to balance living costs with many not having a salary increase so far this year.”

“We therefore think it’s very worthwhile to try to carry out a financial health check at least once a year, just to review overall finances and give them the control they need to effectively manage their debts. Consumers can make a habit of monitoring their credit agreements, by downloading the Equifax Credit Report app. This means they can check out their credit status at any time, allowing them to make informed decisions when it comes to spending or applying for more credit and getting the best rates.”