One thing we have to realize.

All credit-card debt is non-secured debt. Meaning there is no collateral backing up the debt, unlike a car loan where they can come repo the car, the credit card companies are pretty much hosed when it comes to collecting their debts. In a bankruptcy it is not uncommon for credit card companies to never be paid off.

While in many, if not most, of the country it is either illegal or highly frowned upon to run up a credit card knowing that you are about to declare bankruptcy, it happens every day. And the rest of the credit card holders have to pay for the losses. Corporations will pass along their costs to the consumers however they can.

I know that many people have seen a reduction in their card limits, new fees tacked onto the cards they use, and some have had their rates increased for being even one day late with a payment. MOre reason than ever to wean yourself off the plastic.