Some of the leading credit card providers have increased their interest rates, plunging many consumers into further debt.
NatWest, Egg, Virgin and Abbey are the four credit card providers under most scrutiny with the average rate increasing from 16.8 per cent to 17.2 per cent.
Michelle Slade from MoneyFacts, who produced the figures believes many consumers will have to settle their balances as soon as possible or face the prospect of slipping much further into the red.