ROCKVILLE, Md. - The credit crisis is making life difficult for many families.

Some economists say the next crisis could be brought on by the plastic in your pockets.

Rockville Pike is a magnet for shoppers. Even in a down economy. But now, there's a new reality for credit card users. Lenders are much more reluctant to issue them, just as consumers rely on their plastic more than ever.

It looks like a horror movie. But an online video game from the U.S. Treasury Department is even more frightening because it highlights a very real issue: The national credit crisis.

"I pretty much don't carry too much cash on me. Everything's plastic nowadays," said Silver Spring resident Marvin Nelson.

The bad credit hotel is designed to educate the public on avoiding financial nightmares.

"Right now, I'm trying to stay away from them. It's just cash and go with me," said D.C. resident Melvin Carter.

In the first half of this year, bad credit card loans have forced lenders to write off an estimated $21 billion in losses.

"Getting credit card solicitations in the mail every other day is just not a good thing. I think it should be tightened up," said Hyattsville resident Dave Roeder.

"I try to get rid of them immediately. Don't even want to look at them," said Nelson.

In fact, expect fewer credit card offers in your mailbox and higher interest rates on the cards you have.

"My goal is to pay it off at the end of the month, which never happens," said Joy Field.

Field saw her interest rates soar, without notice.

"They do change arbitrarily. I had a credit card change and up my interest rate after I was up a few thousand, which to me wasn't fair, but they did it and it was within the law. So that's something I don't like," she said.

It used to be easy to get a credit card. But now lenders are rejecting consumers already in debt and even those who live in places fraught with foreclosures or work in troubled industries.

For More Information: http://www.controlyourcredit.gov/