Older people ‘are not seeking debt help online’

The elderly may be putting themselves at risk of unnecessary debt worries by not seeking help online.

National debt charity The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has expressed concern that the older generation is missing out by not turning to the internet for advice.

The organisation said that the online option offers a simple and anonymous way of confronting their money troubles.

According to the body, just three per cent of the 153,000 individuals who used its online tool CCCS Debt Remedy in 2009 were over the age of 60.

Head of e-services at CCCS Paula Searle commented: “Although people should seek help in the medium where they are the most comfortable, I am concerned that older people should not miss out.”

Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, recently remarked that the demise of the cheque as a form of payment could lead to financial uncertainty for older people.

By Joe Shervin