Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-102
§1642 Issuance of Credit Cards
Title 15 › CHAPTER 41 — CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION › SUBCHAPTER I — CONSUMER CREDIT COST DISCLOSURE › Part B — Credit Transactions › § 1642
Summary
Credit cards can only be given out when someone asks for one or fills out an application, but a card issuer may still renew or replace a card that a person already had and accepted.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §1642
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
No credit card shall be issued except in response to a request or application therefor. This prohibition does not apply to the issuance of a credit card in renewal of, or in substitution for, an accepted credit card.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Pub. L. 91–508, title V, § 503(1), Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1127, provided that: “section 132 of such Act [this section] takes effect on date of enactment of this title [Oct. 26, 1970].”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 1642
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102