Consumer watchdog wants tougher rules for credit cards
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 | 4:33 AM ET
CBC News
Quebec's consumer watchdog is calling on the province to make it illegal for credit card companies to solicit new customers.
Options Consommateurs said credit card companies often target young people who don't fully understand the concept of credit, and get into financial trouble.
Credit card companies need to assume some responsibility for the troubling trend of growing consumer debt, said Options Consommateurs spokesperson Isabelle Mailloux.
"It's a social responsibility because there are social consequences [to major debt]," Mailloux said.
"If you [have] a lot of debt, you can start to experience health problems, dealing with stress, insomnia. You can have problems dealing with your family and friends."
The watchdog also hopes Quebecers will cut back on credit card purchases this winter to stem the tide of consumer debt, especially in light of the financial crisis.
But there is a silver lining for consumers and future debt, Mailloux said.
"Access to credit is going to be more limited, which for us is probably a good thing, because there's very little investigation made to make sure these [credit card clients] can pay back," she said.
The messages are part of Options Consommateurs' annual credit card debt awareness campaign, launched every year before the holiday shopping rush.
