New credit card laws have been passed to protect credit cardholders from unfair or confusing practices by card issuers. "The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009" was passed in May 2009.

Credit card issuers started implementing some of this legislation in August 2009. Starting in February 2010 they will be restricted from many of their current rate and fee activities.

They will have until August 2010 to fully implement all provisions of this new legislation, commonly called the "CARD Act of 2009."