New credit card rules go into effect today, Thursday, August 20, 2009. Every consumer should familiarize themselves with these new rules, especially since the new rules are set to benefit consumers. The act is known as the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009. The purpose of the legislation is to eliminate certain practices made by credit card companies that take advantage of consumers. This act will supposedly make the credit card industry a more fair market.

The most important aspects of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act are as follows:

1. Credit card companies must follow strict guidelines that will make it more difficult to issue credit cards to consumers under the age of 21.

2. The interest rate cannot be raised on an existing credit card balance until the consumer is at least 60 days past due.

3. The interest rate cannot be increased within the first year of the customer having the account.

4. Promotional interest rates must be six months or longer.

5. If the interest rate is increased for a particular customer, the credit card company must revert to the original interest rate if the consumer makes his/her payments on time for six months.

6. Billing statements must be mailed at least 21 days before the due date.

7. Late fees cannot be assessed if the payment is delayed due to processing delays.

8. Credit card companies are required to give the customer at least 45 days written notice before making interest rate increases.

These new rules are designed to protect consumers. Credit card companies have earned bad reputations for what consumers say are unfair practices. Implementation of the law is supposed to protect consumers against many of the unfair practices and should help alleviate some of the financial burdens that Americans are facing today.