Jane Kim reports for the Wall St. Journal that a number of credit card issuers have raised interest rates and fees over the last several months. She reminds consumers to be on the lookout for the notification letters that announce those changes - "they will usually notify you in advance and give you the chance to opt out of any changes."

Detroit Free Press columnist Susan Tompor writes about needing to be careful using debit cards - to avoid bank overdraft charges. She writes "in the last few years, banks and credit unions began allowing more debit card purchases to go through at checkouts as a convenience to consumers, even if there is not enough money in the checking account."

Nicole Monroe Bell writes for the Charlotte Observer about loyalty cards going higher tech - delivering tailored coupons from kiosks to consumers as they enter stores.

Greg Bluestein writes for the Associated Press about new interest among fine dining restaurants in small point-of-sale terminals that can be brought to the table - enabling diners to complete their payment, add on a tip, and be done without handing their payment to a waiter. Restaurants are rapidly becoming the last places that consumers allow their cards to leave their sight - and have proven to be the greatest sources of mag stripe skimming.