credit cards

Consumers with credit card debt can expect to feel the walls closing in on them in the coming months, as card-issuing banks search for creative ways to cut back on risk and raise cash.

Here's one way to dodge credit card debt and late fees: Don't carry any plastic.

In a cultural shift, credit cards have become commonplace in Turkey, but so has the curse of debt.

A flurry of bills is in the works in the House of Representatives and the Senate that would rein in how those companies do business.

One proposed change that's triggered interest among lawmakers, particularly as the economy sours, would make it harder for college students to qualify for credit cards

Just as Americans grow more reliant on credit cards to help pay monthly bills, they're being hit with a one-two punch: Card companies are reducing borrowing limits for tens of thousands of consumers, which then can lead to lower credit scores.

"In the early stage of a recession, consumers tend to rely on credit cards to see them through the hard times"

The Federal Reserve reported Friday that consumer credit increased at an annual rate of 3.3 percent in January, up from December's 1.8 percent. via Chicago Tribune

As the rich world knows all too well, credit cards are as dangerous as they are convenient. With millions of consumers from China to Mexico filling their wallets with plastic, the risks are mounting as fast as people can say, "Charge it!"

Bank of America told thousands of its cardholders in recent weeks -- even those with good payment histories -- that they faced a rate hike from 9% to as high as 28% if they didn't pay off their balances at the old rate and stop using their cards.

Bank of America told thousands of its cardholders in recent weeks--even those with good payment histories--that they faced a rate hike from 9% to as high as 28% if they didn't pay off their balances at the old rate and stop using their cards.