Option Consommateurs warns seemingly attractive credit card offers can be misleading. (Mark Lennihan/AP Photo)Holiday shoppers should be wary of credit card companies trying to lure customers with attractive deals and low interest rates that can be misleading, a Quebec consumers group warned Thursday.

Option Consommateurs said credit card companies often use attractive promotions to convince people to sign up for their cards, which can ultimately cost consumers more in the long run.

For example, the group said a three per cent reduction in the minimum payment might seem like an attractive offer for consumers — but customers who take longer to pay their bill get stuck with more interest payments, the group said.

Promotional deals can also be cut off if a bill is not paid on time, warned Option Consommateurs.

Credit card companies try to attract consumers who think they won’t be paying high interest rates, said Option Consommateurs legal adviser Élise Thériault.

"[But] there are so many restrictions to the way to use it that the majority of people… [wind up paying ] more than they thought they would," Thériault said.

Credit card companies defend their high interest rates by arguing they are a high-risk venture, Thériault said.Options Consommateurs legal advisor Élise Thériault says companies are handing out credit cards like candy. (CBC)

"But they give t-shirts, caps and everything at the Bell Centre when you go to a hockey game," Thériault said. "That's not risk management to tell people you are risky so we will charge you high interest rates and on the other hand give out credit cards like candy to kids."

Group seeks tougher restrictions

Option Consommateurs is calling on the provincial and federal governments to toughen restrictions on credit card companies.

"For the federal government, the legislation is not there yet," said executive director Michel Arnold. "It's just a code of conduct and we're not sure it's very effective for the protection of consumers."

The rules and restrictions that apply to credit cards must also be made easier to understand for consumers, Arnold said.