Consumers Union

Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, has published its list of the ten major needs of consumers in the year 2000. Fourth on the list: "RESPONSIBLE CREDIT PRACTICES: The credit industry must be required to curb its exorbitant interest rates and misleading marketing practices that target vulnerable consumers, such as minorities and people with low incomes. The industry should also provide the full information they need about penalties and the real cost of the debt that they accumulate each month."