Time Has Come To Tackle Credit Card Complexities - Cable

11.55.00am GMT Tue 16th Mar 2004

The OFT today released a survey of credit card holders which showed that while 60% of card holders thought they had a good understanding of credit cards, few could answer specific questions about their cards, and less then half could identify the best credit card deal out of three shown to them.

Commenting, Vincent Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, said: "The Treasury Select Committee raised serious questions in December about the transparency of credit card charges. This survey shows the Government failing to address them."

"Some credit card companies are capitalising on the ludicrous complexity of charges, and the lack of understanding amongst consumers to make excess profits."

"It is time we standardised how credit card companies formulate their interest charges to ensure consumers have a full understanding of how credit cards work, and that there is true competition between different providers."