After Congress passed the Credit Card Reform Bill earlier this year, Americans thought they would be getting some relief.

But the opposite happened: The law doesn't take effect until February 2010, in the meantime the credit card companies are increasing interest rates, trying to make some quick cash while they still can.

Stay at home mom Jessica Newman got letters from two banks saying they are increasing her interest rates.

"I haven't done anything to deserve it, I'm never late, and I'm always up to date on my payments,” Newman said.

Credit card lenders are quickly increasing fees, payments and interest rates ahead of the profit-crimping law.

A new study by Pew Charitable Trust said 12 of the nation's largest banks are using unfair or deceptive practices.

Compared to December 2008, banks with the lowest rates increased their rates by 20 percent, while banks that are considered to have high interest rates increased their rates by 13 percent. Also, about 97 percent of banks allowed issuers to increase rates on outstanding balances.

These practices would be illegal when the new law goes into effect.

"Credit card companies are doing whatever practices are most profitable for the as long as they can,” Consumer Action Joe Ridout, said.

People who don’t have a credit card balance are also in danger.

Citigroup and Bank of America are both toying with idea of resurrecting the once industry standard annual fee, which could be as high as $99.

"There is a big segment of their population that they have never made money on which is people who pay their bills on time every month," CreditCards.com Ben Woolsey said.

Some people are finding their accounts closed or their credit limits slashed. 

A credit card company cut Kevin Johnson's credit limit from $10,000 to just $3,800.      
"I've done a very good job of being responsible and making sure I pay my bills on time,” Johnson said.

The company wrote a letter of explanation saying "Other customers who've used their card at establishments where you recently shopped have a poor repayment history."

Analysts said it's a tactic to weed out risky card holders before the law changes.

Companies are looking for red flags in spending habits, which alert them to take a deeper look at a customer’s financial situation.

"You're shopping from a middle or upper tier retail store and suddenly it shows a purchase at a dollar store, suddenly shopping at Wal-mart,” Author of Credit Card Nation Robert Manning said.

Analysts said when customers get letters that raise interest rates or slash limits; people should call the company and try to resolve the issue.

If the issue can’t be resolved, people can opt-out of the change, but will have to close the account.

Analysts said that before closing the card; open a new credit card with a better rate to keep the credit ratio the same on credit reports.

Recently, Congress is fighting to move the second and third stage of the Credit Card Reform Bill dates up to Dec. 1 in order to curb the unfair practices of credit card companies.

The reform bill goes into effect in three stages; the first stage took effect in August, which said that credit card companies must allow a 45 day forewarning of any contract changes. The second stage, which originally starts in February 2010, would prohibit arbitrary charges; and the third stage, which originally starts in August 2010, requires reasonable penalty fees.