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The Daily Insight Hub

What are three cardholder protections the 2009 CARD Act created?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on February 14, 2026

How the Credit CARD Act Protects You

  • Credit Card Issuers Must Alert You to Rate Increases.
  • Retroactive Rate Increases Are Prohibited.
  • Interest Rate Reductions.
  • Double Cycle Billing and Other Fees Are Prohibited.
  • Other Fee Regulations.
  • Subprime or “Fee Harvester” Credit Cards.
  • Statement Delivery and Due Dates.

How does the Credit CARD Act of 2009 protect consumers?

The CARD Act of 2009 called for fees imposed upon consumers to be “reasonable and proportional.” It placed limits on late fees and changed how credit card companies can charge for over-limit fees. Borrowers can still be subject to over-limit fees if they specifically chose to opt-in and allow those fees.

How does the credit card act protect consumers?

The CCPA protects you every time you apply for credit. These rights continue to protect you after a lender or credit card issuer approves your application. In the event that you can’t pay back the money you borrow as promised, provisions of the CCPA are there to protect you again, from unfair debt collection practices.

What are the benefits of the Credit CARD Act of 2009?

The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 seeks to curtail deceptive and abusive practices by credit card issuers. The CARD Act mandates consistency and clarity in terminology and terms across credit card issuers.

How does the credit card Act of 2009 affect college students?

The CARD Act includes a number of protections for college students, such as banning the use of gifts to entice them to apply for credit cards and barring the marketing of pre-approved offers to those under 21 years old without their consent.

How does the credit card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure or credit card Act of 2009 impact college students?

Of overall students, 82% carried a balance and had monthly interest charges. The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 put new rules in place to help consumers better understand their credit cards and cut down on unfair practices from credit card companies.

Are there any protections under the Credit CARD Act?

Since 2009, American consumers have had significantly more protection from potential abuses by credit card issuers, through the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act (the CARD Act). You should no longer get slapped with a rate increase or a new fee with no warning.

What was the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2009?

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, commonly called the CARD Act, is a federal law that fundamentally changed credit card issuers’ practices and consumers’ rights. Here is a brief guide to its history and its 12 biggest consumer protections.

What was the purpose of the CARD Act?

The CARD Act directs the Bureau to conduct a biennial review of the consumer credit card market, including the effect of the Act on the cost and availability of credit and the adequacy of protections for consumers relating to credit card plans. This is the first such report the Bureau has prepared.

What are the laws on credit card debt?

This law requires lenders to disclose the costs of borrowing money and prohibits lenders from issuing unsolicited credit cards. The law also limits your liability to $50 if your credit card lost, stolen, or used without your authorization. The worst thing you can do about debt is ignore it. That said, some consumers do fall behind.