Credit card companies are full of surprises this year. With new consumer protection – credit card laws starting this year, many credit card companies are already changing fee policies to make up for the consumer protections the banking industry perceives as revenue decreasing. Don’t be tempted by lower rate offer without reading the entire agreement. Sometimes these lower rates carry a minimum usage clause, which require a certain dollar activity during a given period. Some credit card companies are now placing fees on accounts for non-usage or for not meeting a minimum dollar amount of activity per year. Make sure to open mail from credit cards and read the contents carefully. Part of the new law now mandates credit card companies to inform consumers with more advance, however, if the notice aren’t read the new protections would be useless.