NILES, Ohio - Those zero-percent introductory rate credit card offers you receive in your mail may be tempting, but you need to read the fine print.

"How long is it going to be in effect for? But then, what's it going to jump up to? That's what you have to look for on the credit card disclosure when you sign up for an offer," said Vic Russell, a credit counselor at Apprisen.

Russell says depending on your credit score, those interest rates can be as high as 35 percent on some cards. And on most cards, it's not fixed, but will "vary with the market based on the prime rate."

Thanks to the credit card reform act that took effect in 2010, the fine print, isn't so fine anymore. Credit cards have to disclose all of their rates and charges in bold print.

Consumers seem more aware of credit card fees, such as late fees.

"If you're late on a payment, that introductory period will end right away. And what happens is, you'll go right to the default penalty interest rate, which is usually 3.9 or 24.9 percent."

There are fees for cash advance, transferring balances from other cards and many others.

"Other fees that occur, late fees, can be as high as $35. There are also annual fees sometimes on cards that will sometimes be billed on a monthly basis that may be included in your interest rate, as well when you're paying on the balance, if you don't pay the balance in full, sometimes they break it down into a monthly fee. So, those are the fees that you have to look out for."

However, there can be perks to credit cards.

"I've had one card and that's all I use. And, it gives me bonus points with everything I buy and then I use those points for Christmas and birthdays and that. So, I'm very happy with mine," said Joyce Kohlmorgan.

But, Kohlmorgan also says the key is using the card responsibly, "I'm on a strict budget. I pay my credit card off every month."

Fraud protections and security features are also benefits to using credit cards over debit cards for holiday purchases.

Russell said opening a credit card through your bank is a wise choice.

There are websites that can guide you to the right credit card.

Www.consumerfinance.gov and www.bankrate.com are a couple of them.