Testimony Before The Committee On Banking, Housing And Urban Affairs Of The United States Senate Re: The Effect Of Current Credit Card Industry Practices On Consumers

Given the dramatic changes that have occurred in the credit card industry in recent years – and the negative impact that some of these changes have had on consumers – no industry in America is more deserving of oversight by Congress. For example, agencies that receive consumer complaints regularly report that credit card problems are a major concern. The U.S. Better Business Bureau reported more than 17,000 complaints about credit cards in 2004, the third highest source of consumer complaints after cellular phone services and new car dealers. There is clearly a need to examine many questionable practices in the industry including marketing, credit extension, the terms and conditions of credit card contracts and rising fees and interest rates.