The credit card reform act of 2009, among things, imposes new rules on how issuers can raise interest rates and charge fees. The new law doesn't fully take effect until February, but was signed by the President Obama last May. That same week, Adam Levin of Credit.com expressed his concerns about what might happen during the gap.

"The credit card companies are going to simply try to front run the legislation and do every horrible thing they can possibly think of," Levine said. "We have lived through the equivalent of a reign of terror with the credit card companies and I believe that there is still a high likelihood that they reign of terror will continue, but let's see if I'm wrong."

Fast forward six months and unfortunately, it appears he was not wrong.

"The reign of terror didn't end. The credit card companies weren't kinder or gentler," Levin said.

In fact, according to a survey taken by his company in October, credit card companies have been very active since the legislation was passed. Twenty-seven percent of those polled say their interest rate has been increased, 19 percent have been subject to higher fees and 17 percent now pay higher minimum payments.

But perhaps the most telling number was this: 56 percent of consumers say they'd like to see the new rules kick in in December rather than February. Some lawmakers agree, saying the companies have abused their grace period.

"The time that they asked to have more time to put into effect the requirements of the card act, they have used this time instead to jack up credit card fees and interest rates on consumers and to get in under the wire with the last gasp of unfair practices," said Representative Carolyn Maloney.

Consumers may well have felt powerless through all this and rightfully so. While experts say there are a few steps you can take to stay on top of things in the meantime, it seems cardholders won't be better protected until the protections officially kick in.

"The message to consumers is don't give them the high inside fast ball. Look at your accounts on a daily basis, understand the transactions that you're engaging in. Because they're trolling lists of borrowers to see who whose doing what and just like Santa, they are checking it twice and the fact is whether you are naughty or nice you could end up with significant negative ramifications from this," Levin said.

Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke has advised against moving the implementation date to December, saying banks need time to make a smooth transition. Under the current schedule, the bulk of the new rules are set to take effect on February 22.