http://www.copirg.org/in-the-news/financial/financial-privacy--security http://www.copirg.org/in-the-news/financial/financial-privacy--security/congress-considers-bill-of-rights-for-credit-card-holders DENVER -- Help could be on the way for credit card customers who got an unexpected interest rate hike or fee. Congress is looking at what is called the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights. Testimony is expected this spring on the bill, which would require credit card companies to do a better job of explaining when and how rates change. Rep. Mark Udall of Boulder brought a woman to the state Capitol to speak in support of the legislation. Sue Wones said her interest rate was doubled even though she never missed a payment and never exceeded her credit limit. Wones said she was intimidated by the company and didn't know what to do when here interest rate went up. "In the beginning I felt like I had done something wrong and I should be ashamed even though I hadn't done anything wrong," she said. The Colorado Public Interest and Research Foundation, or CoPIRG, supports the legislation. The group's attorney, Kirpal Singh, said CoPIRG has received dozens of e-mails from members who have been impacted by rate increases. "Credit card companies have been notorious for doing this," Singh said. He called them "gotcha fees." Singh said the best thing to do if you are hit with a fee or interest rate increase is to call the credit card company directly. He said that about half the time, companies will give reduce the charges because they don't want to lose you as a customer. For more information go to www.truthaboutcredit.org. http://www.copirg.org/in-the-news/financial/financial-privacy--security/congress-considers-bill-of-rights-for-credit-card-holders Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:48:59 -0600