The Credit CARD Act will take effect in two weeks and one of the major provisions is the restriction on marketing credit cards to young adults under 21.
“Right now, it is easier for a college student to get a credit card than to get up for class. College students use credit cards to pay for everything, just like their parents. Once this new law takes effect, many college students will have difficulty getting a credit card,” says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook.
Beginning February 22, issuers are not able to offer free merchandise to lure students to sign up for a credit card on college campuses, at college sponsored events (like sporting events) or within 1,000 feet of the campus. In addition, the CARD Act bans credit cards to people under 21 unless there is an adult co-signer or the young adult can show proof they have the income to pay the debt.
“The regulations leave ‘sufficient income’ open to interpretation.
Read more…