Credit card 0 percent offers `could lead to debt`

Many consumers opting for a zero per cent credit card may need access to professional debt management advice, an industry expert has claimed.

The popular cards, which offer interest free credit on both purchases and balance transfers, could force many into debt problems due to interest free periods on transfers being shorter than normal, Thrifty Scot warned.

Such cards could mean that consumers end up with larger-than-expected repayments, forcing many to look for debt management advice. A number of major brands, such as Capital One, offer similar credit card deals.

Thrifty Scot added: "If you are looking to take out just one card and still enjoy interest free credit on your balance transfers and purchases you should therefore make sure that you look for a credit card that offers equal periods of interest free credit on both balance transfers and purchases."

Earlier this week, a survey by homeless charity Shelter found that approximately one million Britons pay their rent or mortgage on credit cards.