Have you ever used your credit card and been asked for ID or told you'd have to make a minimum purchase? Both stipulations are against the merchant guidelines that govern Visa and MasterCard.

Clark is not upset when he's asked for ID; he sees it as another safeguard, even if it is against the guidelines. However, there is some recourse available if you are peeved.

MasterCard has a simple-to-use form where you can alert them if a merchant required ID or a minimum purchase. Clark has no idea what becomes of this info once you submit it to MasterCard.

Visa, on other hand, has no such procedure in place. So they have a rule, but no enforcement.

The underlying issue here is that we're still using '60-era magnetic strip technology for credit cards. Europe and Asia, meanwhile, are years ahead of us with their smart chip technology. With the smart chip, you're required to enter a secret code to use your credit card. But the banks that issue cards don't want to spend the money to have a safe system on our shores!

Many of us have what are called -- in credit card lingo -- "back of the wallets." These are the cards we hardly ever use that may be buried somewhere in our wallets or in a drawer at home.

The typical American has about a dozen cards, but only 2 that are used frequently. The rest of those cards are ignored until they go dormant. In fact, you may not even activate the new card when you get it in the mail.

Banks used to just let these dormant accounts sit and hope you'd someday use the card again -- but not anymore. Now if an account goes stale, they'll close that account. That hurts your credit score and limits your access to funds.

So you may want to consider using your "back of the wallets" twice a year about 6 months apart. Charge a nominal amount and then pay it off. That will keep these accounts current in your credit mix and raise your credit score.

This is not just a silly assignment. You'll be helping your score, which is very important in getting lower interest rates, securing job offers and more.

The nation's banks are reaching new lows when it comes to customer no service. The latest wrinkle took Clark by surprise because he's received scattered calls about this issue without realizing there was a pattern emerging.

Now The Wall Street Journal has discovered that banks are arbitrarily reducing credit limits without telling you. The first you'll hear about it is when your purchase is denied!

Some banks are having up to a 10% default rate on the cards they issue. That's a huge number compared to historical averages. Their panic is so great that they're indiscriminately reducing credit limits -- even sometimes for those who pay their bills in full every month.

The Wall Street Journal also reports that banks are taking a zip code approach to reducing credit limits. This is especially true throughout the real-estate bubble states -- California, Arizona, Nevada or Florida. Again, the banks are frightened because they've seen people go from being current on their bills to declaring bankruptcy practically overnight.

Meanwhile, the banks are also targeting the self-employed because they're frightened of small business bankruptcies. Clark read about one person who had an American Express card that got cut from a credit limit of $36,000 to $4,300!

So if you fit into any of these categories, make sure you're not dependent on any one bank or one credit card. You should have multiple lines from multiple banks. But beware if you miss a payment or are late. Then you've really got a bull's-eye on your back.

The Federal Reserve is proposing new guidelines for the credit card industry. These are simply proposed regulations; they haven't been finalized yet and may not be until after the November elections. The banks, predictably, are going berserk trying to push back on these proposals.

Here are some highlights of what's being considered:

• Banks would be required to give you a minimum of 21 days to pay a bill. That means statements would have to go out in a timely manner. Banks could no longer pull that funny business of sending out your statement a day or so before it's due.

• Credit card companies would no longer be allowed to raise rates on existing balances.

• Holds would no longer count toward your limit. This tactic is frequently used to force you over your limit. Holds are placed on your account when you use your card at a hotel, car rental counter or gas pump.

• Double-cycle billing -- often used to charge interest on a statement that's already been paid in full -- will be banned.

Keep in mind that these are only proposals. The aim is to make it look like there's a cop on the beat during an election year. These may be changed completely before they become the law of the land.

One thing is certain -- you can expect an uphill battle! Here's an example of the mentality coming from the banks: Capital One was recently investigated by California's state attorney general for its practices concerning customers. The company decided to change its registration from a state bank to a national one during the inquiry. That exempted them from the attorney general's scrutiny and allowed them to turn around and file a counter suit!

So what's the takeaway for you? Seize the power by not carrying a revolving balance on your credit card. Stop accumulating lifestyle debt and the banks will have no power over you.