Credit Card Debt Reaches Critical Levels as Americans Struggle with Inflation

A recent national survey by Debt.com exposes the profound financial strain Americans are experiencing, with one in three individuals relying on credit cards to make ends meet and a growing number reaching their credit limits.

The survey of 1,000 adults highlights several alarming trends: 32% of respondents have maxed out their credit cards, 37% use credit cards regularly for basic expenses, and 44% report carrying larger monthly balances due to inflation. Generational data shows Millennials and Gen Xers are most impacted, with 42% and 39% respectively maxing out their credit cards.

More than 63% of survey participants carry a credit card balance, and over 20% owe more than $10,000. Notably, 80% of those with maxed-out cards would rely on credit during a financial emergency, underscoring the precarious financial situation many Americans face.

The findings coincide with a bipartisan legislative effort by Senators Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Anna Paulina Luna to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Chairman of Debt.com, emphasized the potential significance of this proposal, pointing out that 27% of respondents are unaware of their current interest rates, which can exceed 24%.

Despite the mounting debt crisis, 57% of respondents have never explored debt relief options such as credit counseling or debt consolidation. This lack of awareness suggests a critical need for financial education and proactive debt management strategies.

The survey results emerge against a backdrop of declining consumer confidence, as measured by the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index. Economic uncertainty, persistent inflation, and high borrowing costs continue to create significant challenges for American households.