Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 or the Credit CARD Act of 2009:
Tile I: Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require advance notice of any increase in the annual percentage rate of interest (APR) pertaining to a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan.
Imposes a freeze on interest rate terms and fees on canceled cards.
Sets limits on fees and interest charges, including a prohibition against penalties for on-time payments.
Allows imposition of an over-the-limit fee only once during a billing cycle. Prohibits its imposition in a subsequent billing cycle.
Requires fees for cardholder agreement violations and currency exchanges to be reasonable.
Prohibits a creditor from furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency concerning a newly opened credit card account until the credit card has been used or activated by the consumer.
Title II: Enhanced Consumer Disclosures: Requires the creditor to provide a toll-free telephone number at which the consumer may receive information about accessing credit counseling and debt management services.
Revises requirements relating to late payment deadlines and penalties.
Requires a periodic statement of account to disclose: (1) the date by which a payment must be postmarked, if paid by mail, in order to avoid the imposition of a late payment fee; and (2) any possible resulting increase in interest rates for late payments.
Title III: Protection of Young Consumers: Prohibits issuance of a credit card on behalf of a consumer under age 21, unless the consumer has submitted a written application meeting specified requirements.
Topic: Budget & Economy
Headline: Ban abusive credit practices & enhance consumer disclosure
Headline 2: Sponsored bill banning abusive credit & enhancing disclosure
