Consumers need to be aware that their debts can spiral out of control when circumstances change, a charity has advised.
Peter Tutton of the Citizens Advice Bureau told BBC One's Lunchtime News that a record number of people had contacted his organisation this year looking for advice on debt.
He said that consumers are often confident they can manage credit card and loan repayments when they first take them on.
"Unfortunately often what happens is once people start to struggle they try and do their best but often try and manage that by using more credit, and it can go up and up and up," he explained.
According to statistics from debt advisory service Credit Action, total personal debt in the UK reached £1,355 billion at the end of July this year.
The average household was found to be in debt to the tune of around £8,800.
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