The Debt Advisory Centre has revealed that 28% of people who sought debt help with the firm last year did so during January and February.

Conversely, December represented just 2% of the year’s calls from people seeking debt help.

The new figures from the debt advice and solutions provider show the extent to which demand for debt advice is skewed throughout the year. 40% of those who sought debt help in 2013 did so in the first quarter.

Ian Williams of Debt Advisory Centre said: “The first few weeks of the New Year really are a crunch time for many consumers. As January’s and February’s bank and credit card statements – which reflect December’s spending – hit, together with winter fuel bills, many people realise that their financial situation has got out of control.

“Whilst being in debt is stressful, it is equally hard to admit the problem and ask for help. But if interest and charges are mounting up, the quicker people speak to their lenders or seek debt advice the better.

“In the vast majority of cases lenders will freeze interest and charges once they understand their customers are in financial difficulties or when they start a debt solution.”