The findings suggest ex-partners run up average debts of £457 on shared cards. Clearing the debt takes 38 per cent of consumers over half a year. For some, time spent repaying debts surpasses the length of the relationship, with 11 per cent of impacted consumers taking over five years to get back in the black.

It’s not merely credit cards that are ill-treated by ex-partners – the study identified debts accumulated on a range of shared financial products post-breakup, including an average of £463 on mortgages, £313 on current accounts and £327 on online shopping.

The failure to cancel joint accounts and financial products after a breakup is widespread, with 68 per cent of those who shared a financial product with a former partner leaving it open over five years after separation. 32 per cent of those who shared a PIN code say they didn’t get round to changing it, and 19 per cent who shared a credit card say the card remained active after they split up.

The research also suggests many UK consumers aren’t adequately discussing their individual finances before taking out joint products, with 19 per cent of those who have shared a financial product not knowing anything about their other half’s financial history prior to adopting the product.

Sharing products and accounts can be a simple way of managing money – and represent a significant milestone in a relationship – but can have significant consequences, especially for those who haven’t looked into their partner’s financial past. Half of those who have shared a financial product with an ex believe doing so has had a significant impact on their own personal finances, and 30 per cent actually saw their credit score worsen after sharing a financial product with a partner.

“Being left with debts that last longer than the relationship only rubs salt in the wound after a breakup –  couples can remain financially linked by their credit report long after a relationship breaks down and an account has been cancelled,” said Nicolas Frankcom, money expert at uSwitch.com.

“If you do nothing else, make sure you keep a check on your own credit report so you can spot anything unusual on it. If you do break up with your partner, make sure to close all shared accounts and contact each of the three main credit agencies to remove any financial links between you and your ex.”

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