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With a credit crisis looming for years, things may get worse before they get better. With the average citizen holding two to three credit cards, some with balances in the thousands, sneaky charges on your credit card bill can cost more than an all expense trip to Cancun.

Be sure you know how to spot the most common, along with the most uncommon, charges on your credit card, along with a few tips on what to do about them, by reading the below.

Most Common Sneaky Charges on Your Credit Card Bills

Everyone knows about these credit card charges, but know why and how much they add up to by learning more.

1. Annual Fees Averaging around $50 a year, credit card companies may charge you this for the privilege of being their customer. Always a good idea to shop for a card that doesn’t have one, however things are changing. With the current credit crisis, cards that previously had no annual fees may begin to charge them. This article in “The Chicago Sun Times” shows which cards are likely to start carrying fees and even what to do about it.
2. Interest Rates If you carry a balance on your credit cards, interest rates can be extremely harmful, adding up to hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. Even low interest credit card rates can balloon after their introductory period. Other cards can change interest rates for a variety of reasons. As this article explains, most of the 400 most popular cards on the market still have contracts that can raise interest rates even more on outstanding balances. Make sure to know what your interest rate is, will be, and how much you can talk it down to.
3. Reduced Rewards Love your credit card for all those rewards, miles, and even cash back you earn? That may be changing. American Express is one of the first cards to cut back on its cash back rewards. Other cards such as the Chase Freedom Card and Discover Card are following suit.
4. Cash Advance Fees Need some quick cash, but don’t see your ATM in sight? Then drive to one, because the rates on a cash advance from a credit card can be anywhere from an instant two to four percent. There may even be heftier fees when it comes time to pay the cash back, especially if you are unable to pay it all back at once.
5. Late Fees It can happen to anyone. A lost bill, forgotten envelope, missing stamp, and just like that, you’ve incurred a late fee and a black mark on your credit score. With fees climbing to as high as $39, there is even another reason to avoid paying late. A bright spot is that most credit card companies will waive one late fee per year if the account is kept up to date shortly after the due date is missed.

Most Uncommon Sneaky Charges on Your Credit Card Bills

These are the less known charges that can sneak their way onto your credit card bill.

6. Early Fees According to this “USA Today” article, those who don’t carry a balance and/or pay on time can also be hurt by the credit card crisis. Starting in 2010, Bank of America customers will be charging a small amount of customers an annual fee that can range from $29 to $99. This fee will apply even if you don’t carry a balance or have been charged a late fee. They go on to report that Citigroup will fine those who don’t put more than approximately $2,400 a year on their card.
7. Balance Transfer Fees Think you’re getting a deal by transferring your balance to a lower interest card? Then check if and what the balance transfer fee for either card is before doing it. The practice was introduced in the U.K. in 2000 and modified in 2005 to add up to a two percent fee for each balance transferred. When looking into a balance transfer card, check the small print, where card issuers are required to disclose what, if any, transfer fee will be imposed.
8. Foreign Transaction Fees If traveling in another country, just because they take your credit card doesn’t mean you are getting the best rate. Credit card companies can issue just about any exchange rate and many consumers won’t know what that is until they open their statement. In addition, credit cards can also stick you with an extra fee for the transaction, called a foreign transaction fee or currency conversion fee. This site lists popular cards and their fees, but a better idea is to find a local exchange agency with a decent rate and do business with them.
9. Delinquency Rate If you’re not keeping up with your monthly payments, a delinquency rate may be incurred. In fact, many credit card issuers are increasing their delinquency rate to as high as 14.54%. A rate this high would cost you $145.40 for every thousand dollars your are delinquent on, each month you are delinquent. If unable to make payments, be sure and contact the bank ahead of time to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you.
10. Cancellation Worse than unexpected fees, credit cards can be cancelled at any time, even if you keep up with balances and payments. Another piece of bad news is that they don’t even notify you of cancellation, leaving you high and dry the next time you try to make a purchase. Although the Credit Card Act requires providers to notify a customer of any changes within 45 days, surprise cancellations still happen. Make sure you have a back up card or alternate plan to ensure this doesn’t happen to you.

What You Can do About Sneaky Charges on Your Credit Card Bills

Feeling helpless? Then look at these top ways to fight back against sneaky charges and practices on your credit card bills.

11. Stay Ahead of the Curve Fight back on untrue allegations, bad credit ratings, and even identity fraud by getting a copy of your credit report. This site will let you request it online, by phone, or through the mail. The site stands out for getting an annual report for you at no charge and without signing you up for services that you may not want like some other companies. There are also answers to commonly asked questions and a fraud alert option.
12. Beat the Banks Have all these fees made you consider a new card? Then check out this site. An independent and expert review takes a look at the best and worst in credit cards. Ratings are given in the five star system and a variety of options, fees, and more are analyzed. You can even get the Editor’s Picks right on the homepage.
13. Unionize According to the experts at “Forbes” magazine, a credit card union is the way to go. They reported on a study that found that interest rates on a union card were 20% lower than those issued by banks. This can add up to hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year in savings. There are even options for those who do not belong to a credit union, such as joining the National Military Family Association.

Just because there are more and more sneaky common and uncommon charges on your credit card bills doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do about it. Learn how to spot them, fight back, or even ditch the old card for a new one that treats you right, by paying close attention to the above or even by contacting the credit companies directly.