Credit card advice site launched

The credit card industry has launched its own website to help people choose which card is right for them and avoid building up excessive debt.
The site, called "choosing and using", advises people what sort of credit card best suits their spending behaviour.

It also offers help for people already experiencing credit card debt, but it does not compare specific cards.

With around 1,500 credit cards available in the UK, choosing the right one is not always an obvious decision.

Tailored advice
The site was set up by Apacs, the UK payments association, which represents all of the major UK credit card issuers

The website gives the type of features people should be looking for depending on their spending behaviour.

For example people who clear the balance each month are advised that the interest rate is less important, and that they should concentrate on whether there is an annual fee and any rewards programme.

There is also advice on what to do if people have run up too much debt on their credit card.

But the website does not look at specific cards. BBC personal finance reporter Richard Scott says people are still likely to need comparison tables in newspapers or on the internet in order to make their choice.