NEW YORK — Help is on the way for credit cardholders this weekend.

The final stage of consumer protections signed into law earlier this year go into effect Aug. 22. Yet they only curb select practices; other fees and charges still abound.

A look at the new safeguards, and how cardholders can still get burned.

Penalty fees
New protection: Fees for late payments and other transgressions will be capped to the amount of the violation, up to $25. Previously, these fees were often between $35 and $39 regardless of how much was owed. Also, a single violation can no longer result in more than one fee.

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) — Got a gift card from Wal-Mart, Best Buy or American Express this holiday season?

Use it now, consumer advocates say. That’s the best way to avoid potential fees and other pitfalls that can suck up the value of consumer gift cards — at least until the Federal Reserve imposes limitations on some of the fees next year.