Q: I just received our latest credit card bill from MBNA and our interest rate increased by a whopping 8.49 percentage points. This is usury! I called to ask why and was told that an insert in September's bill indicated that this would automatically occur if we did not protest in writing. I always read everything that is sent, and didn't see this. I think people deserve a full-size letter because an insert seems to be an underhanded way of presenting this information.

-- MARI DEVENYI, Ross

Just like your card company, most issuers bury the information in a mountain of fine print tucked inside your bill.

I agree it doesn't seem right, but the card issuers aren't violating any laws.

With so many consumers complaining, however, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has been talking about requiring better disclosures, including that they be written in plain English instead of mind-numbing legalese.

Meanwhile, all you can do is be sure to read everything your card company sends you. And if you don't like what you're reading, shop around for another card.

In your case, Mari, unless you have really bad credit, you should be able to transfer your balance to another company's card with a lower interest rate.

For a list of low-rate cards, try www.cardweb.com, www.bankrate.com and www.cardratings.com.

Q: I recently received an annual solicitation from my university alma mater. The student volunteer asked if I'd like to pay by credit card over the phone. I said I would prefer they mail me a card that I could fill in with my card number and return. I believe it was inappropriate for them to request a credit card number over the phone, especially since they called me. I complained and was told this was standard procedure. To me it seems like a ripe case for fraud. What do you think?

-- MARK ABRAMOWITZ, Pittsburgh

A: You're right to be wary of callers asking for your credit card number or other personal financial information.

People give out their card numbers all the time over the phone to buy things from catalogs, but in that case, you're pretty sure the business is legitimate because you made the call.

Many people also like to make donations by credit card, so your alma mater is offering that option as a convenience.

That said, there are plenty of thieves out there making random calls trying to trick people into giving out personal data.

I think your request to mail your donation and card number to the university is a reasonable one. I hope the school was accommodating. Just make sure the information is in a sealed envelope, not on a postcard for all to see.