There are few things worse than getting slapped with a hefty $35 fee for spending a few dollars more than your credit limit. However, it can easily happen to the best of us, and the fact is most consumers aren't even aware of the fees until they eventually show up on their credit card statements.
Credit issuers show no signs of slowing down when it comes to charging larger and larger fees to those who exceed credit limits, so it's more important than ever for consumers to monitor their spending closely and avoid incurring unnecessary charges. Further protect yourself by signing up for free email alerts from your credit issuer or requesting that any purchase made in excess of your credit limit be denied at the point of sale. Of course, you always have the option to call ahead and request a credit line increase. Not many are being handed out these days, but it's worth a shot if you anticipate the need to have additional credit available.
