Credit card companies have recently been getting sneakier and stricter with card limits and rates. Because of the high number if recent defaults on credit card accounts, mortgages, and loans, the companies are doing everything they can to recoup losses and try to prevent any further losses of profit.

Here is a brief rundown of the seven steps to take in order to make sure you are not a victim of any unnecessary charges or rate increases:

1. Check your card accounts to make sure that you haven't already been a victim of extra charges or an interest rate increase.
2. Don't start acting 'funny' and change your spending or payment habits. Such items would include a sudden rash of credit applications, multiple loans, excessive balance transfers, etc.
3. Always pay your credit card (and other accounts, such as utilities) accounts off on time every month. Try to pay in full (of course).
4. Remember that pretty much all of your bills are somehow tied into your credit score and can affect many other financial areas of your life (like credit card accounts and interest rates). Pay off all of your bills every months, on time, in full.
5. Check your credit report to make sure there is no erroneous activity or incorrect information.
6. If you know that you're not going to be able to pay something off on time, contact the company in advance to try and work out a payment schedule. That's always better than just not paying the bill.
7. Read the mail sentto you from the credit card issuers. Many of them have to do with changes in the contract you agreed to when you applied for the card (rate changes, privacy policy changes, etc.).

If you are faced with a sudden rate increase try calling the company and threatening to close your account if the prior rates are not reinstated. This works best if your balance is paid off in full before you call.If they don't budge, wait a month and try calling again. If that doesn't work, cancel the card and get a new one with lower rates (you can do a balance transfer if you still have a balance on the higher-rate card).

Post inspired by Bankrate.com.