Holiday shoppers are turning away from using credit cards as their main payment option this season, according to an online survey Harris Interactive did for the prepaid card provider Green Dot Corp.
The survey said that 69% of respondents had concerns about adding to their debt load that were prompting them to plan to use available funds, including debit cards, cash, checks, gift cards and other prepaid cards, for holiday purchases. Harris questioned 2,288 U.S. adults 18 and older from Nov. 10 to 12.
About one-quarter of consumers who said they used credit cards for holiday purchases last year were less likely to use them this year, according to the survey. One in ten respondents said they would not use credit cards at all this holiday season.
Among those in the survey who are in the prime family years — 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 — 55% and 58%, respectively, said they were concerned about accumulating holiday shopping debt.
Fifty-two percent of women surveyed said they are at least somewhat concerned about accruing holiday-related debt, compared with 45% of men who said so.
