All of the above may be true, but there’s much more to it. Every individual who uses a credit card should be familiar with the changes brought in by the CARD Act. Here is an overview of some of the most significant changes by category.
Interest Rate
Advance Notice of Rate or Other Fee Increases
Credit card issuers are now required to send at least a 45-day advance written notice of an interest rate increase or other significant change such as a higher fee or finance charge. Credit cardholders must be notified of their right to reject or opt out of the changes.
No Increases on Existing Balances
Credit card issuers cannot raise your interest rate on an existing balance, except in certain situations. Those situations include:
When a promotional interest rate has expired: If you’re considering a new card with a low introductory rate, check whether the fine print says the rate on any existing debt will be increased when the promotional rate expires, and what that new rate will be.If your credit card has a variable interest rate: With this type of credit card, your rate will be based on a formula such as the prime lending rate plus a set percentage.Completed or canceled hardship program: The increased interest rate can’t be higher than what it was before you started the program. Additionally, you must have been notified before the start of the program what the interest rate would be if the program was completed or canceled.More than 60 days late on your minimum credit card payment: If your interest rate increases because of late payments, you should receive a notice. Thereafter, if you make your minimum payments on time, your card issuer is required to check every six months whether you have paid on time and might be eligible for a lower rate.
No Increases on New Accounts
If you open a new credit card account, your card issuer cannot raise your interest rate within the first 12 months, except in the situations described above.
Increases Must Be Reviewed Biannually
After an interest rate has been increased, the credit card issuer must review the account every six months to determine whether the rate can be lowered. If the factors that first triggered the interest rate increase have changed, the card issuer must lower the interest rate.
Universal Default Is Banned
Universal default was a clause in credit card agreements that allowed the card issuer to raise your interest rate at any time and for any reason. For example, some issuers used this clause to apply the penalty rate when their customers were late on a payment to another credit card. The CARD Act bans this practice.
Payments Rules
Must Be Processed the Day They’re Received
Any payment received by 5 p.m. on the due date is considered on time. Your payment due date should be the same day each month. If your payment due date falls on a holiday, weekend, or any other day your card issuer doesn’t accept payments, your payment must be processed on the next business day without any late payment penalty. If a card issuer accepts payments at a local branch, any payment received at the local branch must be processed on that day as well.
Above-Minimum Payments Should Be Applied Fairly
Payments above the minimum should be applied to the highest interest rate balance first, followed by the next highest interest rate balance, except in the case of a balance with deferred interest. If you have a deferred interest balance, the entire payment will go toward that balance in the last two billing cycles of the promotion.
You Must Have Time to Pay Within the Grace Period
If your credit card balance has a grace period in which you can pay the balance in full and avoid a finance charge, your statement must be mailed or delivered to you at least 21 days before the finance charge would be added to your balance.
Billing Statements
You Must Be Given Time to Pay Your Bill
Your credit card issuer must mail your billing statement at least 21 days in advance of your due date. You can’t be charged a late fee if you’re given less time.
Statements With Included Deadlines and Penalties
On credit accounts that charge a late fee, the billing statement must include the payment due date along with the amount of any late fee. If a late payment will result in an interest rate increase, that fact along with the amount of the interest rate must be listed on the billing statement.
Minimum Payment Warnings Must Appear on Billing Statements
With the CARD Act, credit card issuers are required to disclose the total cost to you of making minimum-only payments. Your bill must clearly show:
The number of months it would take to repay the balance if only minimum payments are made each monthThe total cost of making minimum-only payments based on the current interest rateThe monthly payment required to repay the balance within 36 months, along with the total interest and principal you would pay over that timeA toll-free number you can call for information about consumer credit counseling
Double Billing Cycle Finance Charges Are Banned
The double billing cycle method of calculating finance charges is illegal under the CARD Act. Credit card issuers can no longer charge interest on balances from a previous billing cycle. They also cannot charge interest on balances that have already been paid. An exception is made for finance charges on balances that were part of a billing error dispute or a finance charge charged for a returned check.
Fees
Initial Fees for Subprime Credit Cards Limited
During its first year, any fees charged by a subprime credit card cannot exceed 25% of the credit limit. On a credit card with a $400 credit limit, total fees charged when the credit card is opened cannot be more than $100. This excludes late payment fees, over-the-limit fees, and returned check fees.
No Late Fee for Card Issuer Changes
You cannot be charged a late fee if your payment was not processed because your credit card issuer made a change to its mailing address or payment processing procedures. This applies to payments received for up to 60 days after these changes become effective.
No Fee for Method of Payment
Credit card issuers cannot charge a fee based on your payment method unless you have requested an expedited payment that must be handled by a customer service representative.
Opt-In Required for Over-The-Limit Fees
Credit card issuers are required to give cardholders the opportunity to opt into over-the-limit fees. Unless cardholders have indicated they would like over-the-limit transactions to be processed, those transactions that exceed the credit limit should be denied. Before opting in, cardholders must be told the amount of the over-the-limit fee. A cardholder who has opted in to over-the-limit fees has the right to opt out at any time.
Limits on Over-the-Limit Fees
An over-the-limit fee can only be charged once in a billing cycle and only for a total of three consecutive billing cycles unless you pay your balance below the credit limit and go over it again, or you get a credit limit increase and exceed the new limit.
No Penalty for Cancelling Due to Card Changes
If you decide to opt out of the credit card changes and close your credit card account, your card issuer can’t charge extra fees because you closed your account, default your account, or require you to pay the balance in full immediately. Your credit card issuer can, however, increase your monthly payment by up to double, require you to repay your balance within five years, or leave your repayment plan the same.
Additional Rules and Regulations
Disclosures for “Free” Credit Reports
Any advertisement for a free credit report must disclose that federal law entitles consumers to obtain a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. This part of the law gives you a good way to stay on top of your credit rating and make sure errors don’t creep in. Television and radio ads must include the following sentence: “This is not the free credit report provided for by federal law.” That indicates the advertised product offers other or additional services for a fee.
Credit Cards for Young Adults
Credit card issuers can no longer grant credit cards to consumers under age 21 unless the person has submitted a written application. Young consumers also must have a co-signer to get a credit card—or show they have means to repay the debt. Prescreened offers for credit cannot be sent to consumers under 21, and credit card issuers are banned from giving freebies to college students in exchange for a completed credit card application at any event that is college-sponsored or on campus.
Gift Card and Gift Certificate Fees
Any company issuing a gift card, gift certificate, or prepaid card is not allowed to charge an inactivity fee unless the gift card has not been used for 12 months. The purchaser must be notified before purchasing the gift card that an inactivity fee can be assessed, and the amount of the fee must be disclosed ahead of time. Gift certificate expiration must be five years from the date of purchase or five years from the last date funds were loaded onto the certificate. If the gift card has an expiration date, it must be disclosed prior to purchase. These rules do not apply to reloadable phone cards, reloadable cards that are not marketed as gift cards or gift certificates, cards used in place of tickets for admission to certain events, and paper gift certificates. A credit card issuer in violation of the CARD Act can be fined $500 to $5,000 for each violation.
