House of Cards

The credit-card industry is under fire. The Federal Reserve is tightening the rules. Congress is passing legislation to end unfair and predatory credit-card practices. And President Obama called representatives of the credit industry to the White House, where he urged them to reform. We talk to leaders on Capitol Hill and to journalists who cover the credit-card industry.

Credit Card Bill of Rights

We hear one consumer's story. And Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) joins Sheilah to discuss her landmark bill, the “Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights.”

Credit Crunch

Nessa Feddis of the American Bankers Association joins Sheilah to discuss the banking industry’s perspective on this legislation in light of the economic crisis and the credit crunch.

Next Steps

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) talks to Sheilah about the kind of relief consumers can expect in coming years.

Consumer Tips

Joan Goldwasser of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Nancy Trejos of The Washington Post tell Sheilah how consumers can help themselves with credit-card issues.

Resources

• AARP BULLETIN:

  • Senate Approves Credit Card Bill of Rights

  • Fed Cracks Down on Card Issuers

  • Fees Up, Limits Down

• Help With My Credit was established by credit-card issuers to teach struggling consumers about the help available to them. This toll-free phone number, 866-941-1030, informs consumers about sources of payment assistance.

• Debtadvice.org, run by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, counsels consumers who need credit help. The site also offers tools, such as calculators, budget worksheets, consumer tips, and videos.

• BillShrink offers personalized savings suggestions on everyday services, such as cell phones and credit cards.

The Host

Through most of her distinguished reporting career, Sheilah Kast has focused on the economy and workplace and how they affect people's lives. Well known to viewers of public television, ABC News, and CNN, she has covered the White House and Congress.

Kast also reported on the Washington aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Her stories included an investigation of anthrax in the mails and the struggles of bereaved Pentagon families to secure benefits.

At The Washington Star, in her first reporting job, Kast covered financial regulation, taxes, and energy. Her expertise in these important issues eventually led her to start a national public-television show, "This Week in Business," which she hosted in association with Business Week magazine.

Ms. Kast is a skilled interviewer. She has often hosted NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday and has her own current-affairs interview show on public radio in Maryland.

Contact Us

Inside E Street - AARP
Techworld Station
P.O. Box 50239
Washington, D.C. 20091-9998
E-mail: estreet@aarp.org