Roody, in this movie named "Maxed Out" they explained that they use this process called universal default where if a bad incident happens on one account they use that to put all accounts in a new category. For example, you miss paying one bill, the statement got lost in the mail or something, and suddenly your credit card fees and interest jump as well as any late fees or overdraft fees at the bank. They were explaining that the debt companies like to get people on the edge- and then get them in a position where they can just barely make all the fees but don't go over to bankruptcy. I think the republicans recently made the bankruptcy process more difficult for individuals so the credit people can keep more people enthralled with their debts.