If you've got holiday credit card bills lurking in your mail, you might want to get to them quick, considering that some banks are charging late fees of up to 30 percent -- even to those with good credit.

Information from more than 50,000 credit card accounts -- and perhaps as many as 200,000 accounts -- was taken from online shoppers at Wards.com, now run by a direct mail company. While the catalog company reported the breach to credit card processors and authorities, cardholders were left in the dark.

Interest rates can seem complex to just about anybody. If you have ever looked at a credit card contract or bill, the calculations they use to figure out how much to tack on each month are daunting. When you add your auto loan and mortgage in to that equation, it’s just about enough to give anyone a migraine. Who has the time to keep up all that?! Well we feel your pain and have taken the time to compile some terms and tables to help educate you about interest rates.

Revolving credit is a wonderful asset if used properly and preferably with a low interest card. Credit such as this is often abused by first time card holders who are not well educated in how credit works. We’ve put together some tips along with a billing cycle table to help you better understand the process.

A federal lawsuit against Atlanta-based CompuCredit accuses the card issuer of cutting credit lines when customers used their cards at bars, massage parlors, and even to pay for marriage counseling. The company's lawyer calls the practice "commonplace across the industry."

If you think that your heavy spending won't catch up to your hefty paycheck, think again. Credit card debt is growing as the tightened economy forces consumers to pay with plastic more often, and it's not just affecting workers with low salaries.

Some people are saddled with thousands of dollars in debt and others pay off their balances fastidiously. Most of us are somewhere in between the extremes. We've explored three card-user profiles and determined which card scenario is most fitting for each.

Credit cards with awards programs can be an enjoyable perk. However you need to ensure that you are getting a low enough interest rate and that the award is really worth it.

While the internet lets you easily compare credit cards and apply online, there are some things you need to consider. To help you sift through credit card offers and make a well- informed decision, consider evaluating the following features of an offer.