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The recession seems to be taking a back seat as more people pull out their credit cards to pay for everyday items. According to The Christian Science Monitor, consumers racked up a total of $64 billion in credit card debt for the year 2011, and January 2012 has already seen an increase in credit card use.

January normally means a return to less spending, trimming your budget, and putting off big purchases, but more consumers are throwing caution to the wind when it comes to credit card spending. In fact, the payment processing company First Data reports that people are using their credit cards at rates not seen since the pre-recession era.

What has spurred this rise in credit card spending?

Banks have cancelled or severely cut back on their debit card rewards programs, and have even suffered a backlash when they instituted debit card fees.

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Consumers beware; the United States officially has the highest rate of credit card fraud in the world — a staggering 47 percent of all cases occurred in the United States.

In 2010, 3.56 billion in payment card fraud losses reported in the United States alone, with another 4.04 billion lost world wide, up more than 10 percent from 2009. The United States counts for 27 percent of the worldwide purchases, but nearly half of all credit card fraud activity, which is explained by the fact that the United States have been last on board with new security measures that have gained popularity in the rest of the world.

Credit fraud can leave a huge mark on one’s credit report and getting the credit bureaus to remove the information can be a hassle, so it’s best to avoid fraud at all costs by frequently checking credit and bank accounts online and freezing a card once fraud is suspected.

Monitoring alone will not prevent fraud, only put it to a halt. To pr

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With competition between credit card providers leading to more appealing introductory offers there are times when people may want to consider switching to a new card.

Just like it is important to compare different credit card offers, it is a good idea to compare features on your current card with those of new credit cards to make sure you are getting the best deal.

With these simple steps below you should be able to compare your current card to new card offers to make the most of using your plastic.

Step One: Consider The Categories

Knowing what kind of cards you are interested in will make it easier to compare different options and weigh up the benefits for current and new cards.

Someone with a general rewards card, for example, might find there are frequent flyer options that will earn them more points and can be redeemed for a range of rewards as well as flights around the world.

On the other hand, if you were switching from a rewards card to a low rate option, it might be helpful to consider the complimentary extras that some cards offer so that there are still benefits to using your credit card.

Credit cards come with all kinds of specific benefits from low interest rates and balance transfers to rewards and knowing exactly what you want will make it easier to find the right card.

Step Two: Look At Ongoing Features

While it is easy to be swept up in the hype of introductory offers, looking at the standard features of new credit cards will help give you an idea of how manageable it will be so that there are no nasty surprises once the introductory period ends.

Some new credit card offers will provide low rates for a limited time before switching to much higher ongoing rates, so comparing the long-term costs of a new card to your current card could save you a lot of money down the track.

Step Three: Make The Most Of Introductory Signup Bonuses

Whether it is a great balance transfer rate or additional reward points, the bonuses available with new credit cards can add real value to making a switch.

But these offers tend to come with certain conditions, so it is a good idea to read the fine print first and make sure any requirements for the bonus will fit with your current credit card habits.

Even if you are happy with your current card, it can be a good idea to compare the features with other options out there.

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For a limited time, Chase and Southwest have brought back this popular offer. With your very first purchase on your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, you’ll earn 50,000 bonus points–enough to redeem for 2 free roundtrip flights (up to $833 towards Wanna Get Away fares).

The card has a $69 annual fee which is not waived for the first year. That fee, however, is substantially offset by the 3,000 points you’ll receive on your card membership anniversary every year, good for $50 towards a Wanna Get Away fare.

In addition, you’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent directly with Southwest. That includes flight, inflight, southwestgiftcard, Jackpot Deals, and Southwest Airlines Vacations package purchases, and purchases made at participating Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Hotel and Rental Car Partners. You wil

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In the United States, having credit card debt is a usual case. In fact, this have become a the latest trend since credit card bank companies used to forced people to apply on their credit cards and even preapprove them just to get a lot of customers. People on the other hand didn’t learn to control their spending habits that almost half of credit card users today are dealing with piled up credit card debt and hence approaching companies who can help consolidate it. Being in a situation where you have no control over your finances is not easy. It is a very huge burden especially when banks start to penalize you. If you are in this situation then stop contemplating on the past and strategize your plan of actions. Here are some tips that you can use:

Create a list of all your debts

It is very important to create a list of all your debts and then arrange them in a priority order. T Full Article…

The new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is officially open for business … and is taking your complaints about credit cards.

The bureau’s Web site offers an easy-to-navigate feature to file your complaints. To do so, you enter your name and contact information and describe the problem, both in your own words and by using simple pull-down menus. The menus, for instance, help you explain the nature of your complaint — late fees, billing disputes, interest rate, etc. — and what, if anything, you’ve done so far to resolve it.

There’s also a space for you to outline what you’d like to see as a resolution. The site says the agency forwards your complaint to the credit card company.

If you have trouble with the form, or if questions arise as you go, the site includes an online chat feature so you can seek help from bureau staff, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. E.S.T. I spent about

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