Fifty percent (50%) of Americans say interest rates on their credit cards have been raised in the past six months, as Congress seeks to limit the ability of banks to raise those rates.



Roughly 51 percent of credit card users say they pay their bill in full each month, avoiding interest payments, according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.



A majority of Americans, 77 percent, say credit card companies take advantage of consumers with their interest charges.



Among the report’s findings:



• 31 percent say their rates have not been raised and 19 percent were unsure.

• 69 percent say interest rate increases are likely to make them use credit cards less.

• 16 percent of Americans say they are carrying more debt than a year ago; 34 percent say they have less debt and 46 percent have more.



Nearly 50 percent of Americans say credit card companies need more government oversight, the poll found. Since 2001, the Rasmussen Reports have tracked and distributed public opinion polling as an electronic company.



To read the full report, go to www.rasmussenreports.com.



In other Rasmussen/Credit Card News, Eighty-three percent (83%) of adults say credit cards tempt people to buy things they cannot afford, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only eight percent (8%) disagree with that assessment. Another nine percent (9%) are not sure.