A-Infos (en) UK, Resistance anarchist bulletin #49 - CUT THE CARD

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YOU DON'T NEED to work for the Finan-
cial Times to realise that credit card debt
is getting well out of hand. Ten years ago
hardly anyone had one. Now there are 91
million credit and debit cards in the UK.
Two fifths of our shopping is now put on
the plastic. The net result is a large por-
tion of the population with massive credit
card debt. Given the extortionate interest
rates charged this is seriously bad news
for us and the source of gleeful hand rub-
bing for the high street bankers who are
pocketing it.
Credit cards have been introduced not
to make our lives easier, but to extract
money from us. Credit card debt acts like
a mini mortgage ­ got to keep our noses
to the grindstone so as not to miss any
payments. We lived without them for
years, and can start doing so again. To help
you on your way to liberating yourself from
plastic purgatory get your credit card and
get your credit card and
take a pair of scissors to it. This may seem
hard at first, but believe me, the feeling of
relief when its done is immense. Worried
about the debt you've accrued? The most
important thing is not to panic. For start-
ers, did you know the following?

     ·    Credit Card debt is classified as
"non-priority" debt. You can't be impris-
oned for not paying non-priority debts and
you are unlikely to lose your home or your
essential goods.

      ·    It is an offence under The Admin-
istration of Justice Act 1970 for someone
in debt to be harassed by their creditor
such as a credit card company or an agent
acting on their behalf.

      ·    Debts of under £5000 can only be
heard at the small claims court. So even if
you do get taken to court you can't be stung
with solicitors costs if you lose.

      ·    Debt collectors are not the same as
bailiffs. Debt collectors cannot take any ac-
tion against you, apart from asking you to
pay any money owed.

     ·    Regardless of what they say, YOU
DON'T HAVE TO LET BAILIFFS IN. They
are not allowed to force their way into your
home unless you have let them in on a pre-
vious visit, hence the importance of never,
ever letting them in.
We don't claim to be legal experts. We
certainly don't claim to offer "impartial"
advice either ­ we despise bailiffs, bank-
ers and other creditors as much as any-
one and support fair means or foul to get
the better of them! Some decent, free,
practical advice is available from The Na-
tional debtline on 0808 808 4000. Their
website is www.nationaldebtline.co.uk.
Alternatively, you could visit the Citi-
zens Advice Bureau.
Thanks to Walthamstow Anarchist
Group (07810 288 889) for the article.


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