Dun & Bradstreet has warned of rising financial stress risks in the lead-up to the Christmas holiday period as consumers look to borrow and spend with more confidence.D&B said that consumer debts often accrue during the Christmas period, with repayment problems "becoming noticeable" in the New Year. Looking back at trends in January this year, D&B said the volume of debt referrals grew by more than 15 per cent from the previous quarter, while a greater number of consumers with a poor re-payment history applied for new credit in a flat economy.The consequence of missed bill payments takes on particular significance this year with new credit laws providing scope for banks to begin recording bill payments that are made five or more days late, D&B warned.The warning from D&B comes despite the consumer credit bureau's own financial stress index settling at a two-year low, attributed to a combination of post-election confidence and falling interest rates, and household savings levels that have increased for each of the past four quarters.