Debtors urged to get credit card advice

By UK CreditCards.com

Using free advice services can help people avoid serious fallout from their credit card debts, an October 12 report showed.

Several case studies were brought together by organisations including Citizens Advice, Youth Access and the Law Centres Federation to mark the beginning of Advice Week 2009, which runs until October 18.

In a statement accompanying the report, the groups said that the earlier a debtor got in touch, the more advisers could do to alleviate the problems.

Citizens Advice put forward the case study of a Derbyshire resident who shared his money concerns with his local branch after being made redundant. The organisation guided him through voluntary bankruptcy and helped to secure him a £2,000 grant from the Royal British Legion.

David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "Even people at crisis point -- for example people facing a court hearing for repossession of their home -- can find their situation swiftly improved if they seek advice."

Latest data from the Bank of England shows that Britons made net repayments of consumer credit worth around £100m over August 2009. This includes money owed on credit cards and personal loans.

Credit card customers warned over dazzling teeth scam

By UK CreditCards.com

Users of Facebook should avoid a teeth whitening programme known as Dazzling White Teeth, a technology blog has advised.

TheNextWeb.com said that it had seen several reports of unhappy customers suffering unexpected withdrawals from their credit card accounts after signing up for the service.

Dazzling White Teeth asks customers to provide their credit card details when they order the product.

It then sends the teeth whiteners as promised, but also orders a series of additional products without asking the customer first.

Adverts for the service have been spotted on Facebook's advertising platform, leading to fears that the scam could have already reached a very wide audience.

"If you have already purchased [the] product and notice unusual charges on your credit card or bank account, then please give your bank or credit card provider a phone call," TheNextWeb.com advised.

The report added that users of the social networking site should report the adverts "straight away" when they see them.