Plastic Penalties

By: Guy Campanile
Topics: Field Notes

(AP / CBS)

Here's some more evidence that credit card issuers are clamping down as we get closer to the February implementation of new federal rules on credit cards.

A new survey from Credit.comfinds more than 43 percent of consumers (up from 34 percent from June 2009) say their card company has made one or some combination of the following changes to a credit card account:

Send us an e-mail.

- Closed their account 11% (up from 6% in June 2009 survey)
- Increased their interest rate 27% (up from 19% in June 2009 survey)
- Increased their fees 19% (up from 14% in June 2009 survey)
- Lowered their credit limit 13% (down from 14% in June 2009 survey)
- Increased their minimum payment due 15% (up from 12% in June 2009 survey)
- Reduced their rewards program 11% (up from 9% in June 2009 survey)

CBS News is working on its own poll about changes in credit card spending as many Americans are deciding to cut back on credit card use. Are you passing on the plastic? Have you decided to choose debit over credit? Let us know if you are changing your credit card habits.

2 Comments +

Add a Comment


by ahrats February 9, 2010 6:18 AM EST: The banks want you to use credit cards to get yourself in debt so they can charge you 30% on what you owe. When the U.S. people bailed out the banks what was the interest charge 0%; Reply to this comment


by kenhamlett February 8, 2010 9:45 PM EST: This is actually better for consumers. It forces them to do what they should have done already. Getting rid of the plastic is the first step to a solvent life style. You may not have as many trinkets that you bought on a whim but your bank account will thank you.
Don't wait to be forced out of the CC market. Get out of the system on your own...Now!; Reply to this comment