New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- Many credit card users are falling into unexpected debt traps. This happens through the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) payment option. Several cases reveal how this seemingly-harmless choice backfires.

Mint Money referred to Ashutosh Singh, who got his first credit card in 2023. He was 26 and planning an MBA education loan. When his bill arrived, the minimum amount appeared pre-selected.

The payment app didn't explain what this option meant. Singh assumed it let him safely defer the remaining balance. This assumption is dangerously-common among new cardholders.

Some users say their settings changed entirely without their knowledge. In Bengaluru, IT consultant Raghuvendra always used autopay. He discovered his setting ha...