PEOPLE in Worcester trying to cope with financial problems are being driven to the brink of suicide by bullying tactics, harassment and threats from debt collectors working for credit card companies.

Worcester's Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) says its clients have been bombarded with phone calls - up to 15 calls in a day - threatened with prison and encouraged to go into more debt to pay off their credit card bills.

All these measures are prohibited under the Office of Fair Trading debt collection guidance.

Marilyn Saklatvala, from the CAB social policy team, said: "Clients have been threatened and bombarded with telephone calls. At least three clients have been encouraged to go into further debt to pay off their credit cards, two clients have gone bankrupt and clients have felt suicidal."

Julie Watts, Worcester CAB debt caseworker, said they had received a number of complaints about credit card companies and debt collection agencies working on their behalf.

"There are numerous occasions where the finance sector is less than sympathetic in its approach to people in debt," said Miss Watts, who has 23 years of experience in the field of debt issues.

"Some of these companies use intimidation and the use threats. There is continual bombardment on the phone. I call it mugging by phone. Some clients have had up to 15 phone calls a day."

Miss Watts said she knew of clients who were being treated for stress or were off work on unpaid sick leave.

And she said debt collectors had threatened people with court action, imprisonment and injunctions to have their home repossessed.

"I have had a client who has been suicidal because of this," she said. "They are forcing clients to go bankrupt and if that happens it is very doubtful if they will get their money."

Miss Watts said the Office of Fair Trading did have guidelines for companies dealing with debtors, but a lot of agencies were not complying with them.

"To me it is harassment," she said. "The Office of Fair Trading says you are not allowed to harass people."

Miss Watts said the last three complaints received by Worcester CAB concerned the Halifax bombarding customers with telephone calls. "The more recent examples have been from the Halifax. They are one of the less sympathetic," she said.

A spokesman for the Halifax said: "As a responsible lender, we endeavour to help our customers manage their debts.

"Where appropriate, we will try to contact customers unable to meet their payments to try to arrange a manageable repayment agreement."

He added that the Halifax had now been in touch with Worcester CAB with the aim of conducting a thorough investigation into the complaints. If debt collectors use harassment or bullying tactics, contact the Office of Fair Trading on 0845 404 0506. Anyone in debt should seek help from the Citizens Advice Bureau on 01905 611371 .