New Equifax research* identifies consumer attitudes to repaying their debts
London, November 2014 - New YouGov research commissioned by credit information provider, Equifax, sheds
light on consumer attitudes to repaying debts.
The survey of 2,010 people found:
- 16% of Britons have taken out credit with no intention of paying it back, and half of those would
consider repeating the behaviour – becoming serial non-payers.
- Men are more than twice as likely to repeat the practice, compared to women at 11% and 5% respectively.
- 11% of 35-44 year olds have taken this action and would do it again compared to 5% of 18-25 year olds,
the lowest percentage of all the age groups surveyed.
- 10% of those in employment have taken out credit with no intention of paying any or all of it back,
compared to 17% of unemployed people.
- In total, 19% of people answered that they would consider taking out (or had taken out) credit with no
intention of paying any or all of it back. 31% of these people said that this would most likely be (or had
been) prompted by a difficult financial situation.
- Of all those who said they have taken credit with no intention of paying it back, 9% said they would not
care about the consequences of paying it back. This was the answer provided by 12% of men and 5% of women.
More results of the poll can be seen below
Members of the public were asked:
“Please think about taking out credit and having
no intention of paying any or all of it back yourself…Which ONE of the following
statements BEST applies to you?” to which the responses were as below:
- I have done this before, and would consider doing it again in
the future
- 8% Total
- 11% Male, 5% Female
- 5% 18-24, 9% 25-34, 11% 35-44, 10% 45-54, 6% 55+
- 10% Working full or part time, 5% Full time student, 4% Retired, 17% Unemployed, 3% Not working/
Other.
- I have done this before, but would not consider
doing it again in the future
- 8% Total
- 7% Male, 9% Female
- 3% 18-24, 8% 25-34, 8% 35-44, 8% 45-54, 8% 55+
- 8% Working full or part time, 1% Full time student, 5% Retired, 7% Unemployed, 15% Not working/
Other.
- I have not done this before, but would consider
doing it in the future
- 3% Total
- 4% Male, 2% Female
- 7% 18-24, 4% 25-34, 3% 35-44, 3% 45-54, 2% 55+
- 4% Working full or part time, 10% Full time student, 1% Retired, 4% Unemployed, 1% Not working/
Other.
- I have not done this before, and would
not consider doing it in the future
19% of the above were asked which would be reasons for taking or considering taking credit with no
intention of paying any or all of it back
- I was/ if I was in a difficult financial situation and needed to focus on the short-term need for
the money, rather than long-term requirement to pay it back
- 31% Total
- 28% Male, 33% Female
- 39% 25-34, 29% 35-44, 29% 45-54, 25% 55+
- 29% Working full or part time, 9% Retired.
- I didn’t/ if I didn’t care about the consequences of not paying any or all of it back
- 9% Total
- 12% Male, 5% Female
- 10% 25-34, 8% 35-44, 12% 45-54, 6% 55+
- 8% Working full or part time, 9% Retired.
- I planned/ if I planned to move abroad and thought I wouldn’t have to pay any or all of it
back
- 3% Total
- 2% Male, 3% Female
- 1% 25-34, 2% 35-44, 3% 45-54, 4% 55+
- 1% Working full or part time, 10% Retired,.
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*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
Total sample size was 2010 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th and 7th November 2014. The survey
was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged
18+).
The Equifax Credit Report is
accessible for 30 days free. If customers do not cancel before the end of the 30 Day Free Trial, the
service will continue at £9.95 per month, giving them unlimited online access to their credit information
and weekly alerts on any changes to their credit file. It also includes an online dispute facility to help
them correct any errors on their credit file simply and quickly.