Using credit cards is much more dangerous than using checks or cash. Paying in cash is very simple; knowing how much money is available and how much can be spent makes getting into debt very difficult. When paying by check the process is a little more complicated; the exact balance must be maintained in the account at all times. Knowing what this balance is and continually replenishing it can be quite difficult. However, even with a check consumers can't get into trouble. If more money is spent than the buyer has in the checking account, the last written check will be rejected and the account will be suspended until the balance is paid. With credit cards, however, more and more people fall into debt every year. According to the American Bankers Association (ABA), Americans have more than $387 billion on credit cards. This daunting figure, averaging about $3,900 per household, is just as bad for the economy as it is for consumers. In September 1995, for example, the AT&T Universal card charged $15 a month for late fees to people who paid their bills just one day after the due date. Visa instead charged the penalty for just one dollar over the limit, plus interest of up to 24.9% per year. In the second quarter of 1995, the percentage of overdue payments to the outstanding balance reached 3,267%. That's the highest level since the 1991 recession. "The picture is that some consumers are very, very indebted," said Charles McMillion, chief economist at MBG Information Services. Swiping has become so natural that many consumers don't realize how much they've been charged, or that it will take forever to pay off the debt. Seventy percent of respondents in a recent ABA survey said it will take at least two months to pay off vacation expenses. Unfortunately, there are more ways to use a credit card than ever before, making it very difficult for consumers to refrain from spending a lot of money. Shoppers can charge groceries, teeth cleaning and online services to their credit cards. Introduction of discount cards – offering users credit towards new vehicles and frequent flyer miles,