Personal Finance Buzz

The credit card black market is a growing industry, costing cardholders and credit card issuers more than $500 million a year.
But there are ways to protect your card.
Just like birth control, the first and most effective method is not to have one. If that’s not an option for you, read these six ways to get your card guard on.

As you know, the provisions from the Credit CARD Act are taking effect. Some of these changes definitely offer better protection, but it doesn’t mean that you can just ignore the letters that come through the mail. When it comes to credit cards, you will always need to read the fine print. Credit card issuers still have a lot of leeway, and you need to be on your guard.

The new credit card laws have already started to take effect, and the credit issuers are also taking steps to protect themselves. This means trouble for consumers.

New credit card fees are coming. Sure the Credit CARD Act provides some consumer protections. But credit card issuers are rushing to fill the gap.

Even with the Credit CARD Act in place, there are loopholes that allow credit card issuers to suddenly hike your rates

Credit card fraud is a serious crime that costs card holders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Learn how to protect yourself.

Things are getting a little crazy out there as credit card issuers rush to change their terms before the February 2010 implementation of the Credit CARD Act of 2009.