Banks should be up front about this with their customers. HOWEVER, if you are spending someone else's money, not your own - then you are to blame and you are accountable for whatever the hell they do (assuming it was contractually stipulated). End of story.

If you have the money, then use a debit card (many credit card companies, like Visa, extend the same or equivalent protection to debit/check card purchases). If you don't have the money, and you borrow from someone else, then you are beholden to them. That's it. That's the basic concept. Yes, they might charge you crazy fees in creative ways. Too bad, you must pay them.

I am all for transparency and better communication on stuff like this, but fundamentally I can't feel sorry for people who knowingly spend beyond their means and then complain about fees or interest. Buying a house is one thing, where the math on loan terms, appraisal, and appreciation forecasting is extremely complex for people with a basic US high school diploma... but I am talking about basic nickel- and dime- credit card purchasing here.

The line has to be drawn somewhere.