Credit CArd Protection

Does this go far enough to protect consumer against all the lunatic charges that credit card companies try to stick us with when they feel undermined. I do not know, but it is better than nothing......

 

New consumer protections for credit card users take effect today

February 22, 2010

Have you or someone you know experienced deceptive tactics from your credit card company?
Today, common sense reforms to the credit card industry will go into effect -- finally holding credit card companies accountable for their abusive practices.  The Credit CARD Act is part of our long-term plan to rebuild our economy in a way that works for middle-class families and rewards responsibility and hard work – not high-flying finance schemes.
The Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights, which this Congress passed last year, provides several new protections which will go into effect to, including:
Expanded consumer protections on rates, fees and limits

• No retroactive interest rate hikes:  If your credit card company increases your interest rate, the new rate applies only to new charges. As long as you pay on time, your original interest rate will apply for the previous balance.
• No interest rate increases for the first year: If you pay your bill on time, your credit card company can not increase your interest rate for the first 12 months after you open an account (unless you’ve agreed to an introductory or variable rate).
• Customers must opt-in to over-the-limit fees: Additionally, credit card companies can only charge over-the-limit fees once per billing cycle.
• Protections for consumers under 21 years old: If you are under 21, you will need to show you are able to make payments, or provide a co-signer, in order to open a credit card account.

Fair disclosure requirements

• 45 day notification of rate changes: Your credit card company must now provide you with 45 days of advance notice before increasing your interest rate on purchases going forward.
• Clear disclosure of your balance repayment schedule: Credit card bills must now include information on how long it would take to pay off your balance if you make only minimum payments. They must also show how much you would need to pay each month in order to pay off your balance in three years.

Changes to billing and payments

• Standard payment dates and times: Credit card companies must now mail or deliver your bill at least 21 days before your payment is due. Billing cut off times can not be earlier than 5 p.m., and you will have until the following business day if the due date is on a holiday or weekend.
• Payments over minimum now applied to highest interest rate balances: While some credit card companies used to apply payments to your lowest interest rate balance, issuers must now apply the payment to your highest interest-rate balance first.

Watch as Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, author of the bill, discusses the credit card reforms.
To learn more about these changes, as well as other smart practices for choosing and using a credit card, take a look at this credit card consumer guide produced by the Federal Reserve.