yup, criminal is the better word for it
but back in '97 and '98 the company were legally obliged to accept it as it was an offer made by the customer. They customers manage over MANY years to get their credit up to that level, increasing every year, and then just went on a splurge with it all, for whatever reason. Hopefully the whole system has been overhauled now, as it desperately needed it. It's little wonder most of country is in debt to some level.
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 3 Sep 2009, 16:48, 1 reply)

If it's still legal
Im going to be doing that as much as i can then just leave my kiddies and grandkids with the debt
(NuffMuff fucks shrubbery, Thu 3 Sep 2009, 16:51, closed)

I have a feeling it still works like that.
At least I've heard of people getting away with paying off debt at some minuscule rate in the not-too-distant past.

Apparently if you end up in court about some sort of overdue amount, you stand up as quickly into proceedings as you can, tell the judge that you want to honour the agreement in place but can only afford 'x' amount and nine times out of ten they'll rule in your favour at whatever rate you suggested (within reason).
(Pope Jamiroquai III, Thu 3 Sep 2009, 20:26, closed)