The government is planning a crackdown on the credit card industry to curb the temptation to get into debt.
The government is planning a crackdown on the credit card industry to curb the temptation to get into debt.
Legislation will be introduced to stop card firms from raising the credit limit of a customer when this has not been requested.
Legislation will be introduced to stop card firms from raising the credit limit of a customer when this has not been requested.
Ministers also want to ban firms from sending out unsolicited credit card cheques to consumers.
Ministers also want to ban firms from sending out unsolicited credit card cheques to consumers.
UK payments association Apacs said its members did not raise the credit limits of borrowers with financial problems.
UK payments association Apacs said its members did not raise the credit limits of borrowers with financial problems.
The outstanding balance owed on credit cards in Britain stands at £53bn.
The outstanding balance owed on credit cards in Britain stands at £53bn.
"We are concerned that people may be tempted to borrow irresponsibly if credit card companies increase borrowing limits without this being requested by customers, or send out unsolicited credit card cheques," said Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas.
"We are concerned that people may be tempted to borrow irresponsibly if credit card companies increase borrowing limits without this being requested by customers, or send out unsolicited credit card cheques," said Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas.
"It's vital we protect consumers at this time and we are exploring these issues carefully," he added.
"It's vital we protect consumers at this time and we are exploring these issues carefully," he added.
Charges
Charges
Credit card cheques are often a marketing gimmick. They are usually sent, unsolicited, to customers who are then invited to use them for purchases or payments, and who then settle the amount on their next credit card bill.
Credit card cheques are often a marketing gimmick. They are usually sent, unsolicited, to customers who are then invited to use them for purchases or payments, and who then settle the amount on their next credit card bill.
They commonly carry more expensive charges than the cards, and items bought with them do not enjoy the same protection against goods being faulty.
They commonly carry more expensive charges than the cards, and items bought with them do not enjoy the same protection against goods being faulty.
In 2006, the credit card industry came under pressure from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the government to rein in the practice of mass-mailing blank credit card cheques to customers.
In 2006, the credit card industry came under pressure from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the government to rein in the practice of mass-mailing blank credit card cheques to customers.
As a result a new code of practice was agreed by the banking industry in December 2006.
As a result a new code of practice was agreed by the banking industry in December 2006.
The card companies agreed to "assess a customer's suitability before sending credit card cheques", as well as giving clear information on the cost of using them.
The card companies agreed to "assess a customer's suitability before sending credit card cheques", as well as giving clear information on the cost of using them.
The industry defends the cheques as an alternative way of drawing on a card account where the card itself it not accepted, for instance by a tradesman.
The industry defends the cheques as an alternative way of drawing on a card account where the card itself it not accepted, for instance by a tradesman.
Apacs says only 7% of the cheques sent out are actually used, and points out that they draw on a customer's existing credit limit, rather than increasing it.
Apacs says only 7% of the cheques sent out are actually used, and points out that they draw on a customer's existing credit limit, rather than increasing it.
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