Credit card firms 'out of touch'

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Credit card companies are "out of touch with reality" for putting up their interest rates or charges over the past year, consumer group Which? has said.

The organisation found 28 major credit card firms had either increased rates or charges, or reduced the number of interest-free days for purchases.

Which? said the average card rate was up 0.5% in a period when the Bank of England's rate fell from 5.25% to 1%.

It accused providers of using "tricks" to squeeze extra cash out of customers.

Which? said some credit card companies had upped their rates by 3%-4%.

With interest rates so low, it is time for credit card providers to enter the real world Martyn HockingEditor, Which? Money

It also said many firms had increased interest rates and fees for balances transferred from other cards.

Martyn Hocking, editor of Which? Money, said: "At a time when we're all feeling the pinch, it's hugely disappointing that credit card companies are choosing to put the squeeze on borrowers more than ever.

"With interest rates so low, it is time for credit card providers to enter the real world.

"They need to make credit cheaper and their charges more transparent and fair, rather than making it harder than ever for people to make ends meet and pay back their debts."