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Whitehouse is concerned about what he calls the predatory practices of some credit card companies - exorbitant interest rates, sky-high fees, and other measures that wind up punishing consumers.

"The average credit card consumer is at the tail end of a very long story [that often involves] predatory manipulation," Whitehouse said. "For too long, the credit card industry has had too little opposition," he said.

The question-and-answer portion of tomorrow's hearing is a chance for consumers "to share their stories, what's going on in their lives with an issue he's focused on," said Whitehouse spokeswoman Alex Swartsel. "We can't always resolve people's problems, but at least we can listen," she said.

The national recession underscores the need to help and protect Rhode Island families, and makes the hearing "even more important" and timely, Whitehouse said.

"With working families in Rhode Island and across the country stretched thin by lower incomes and fewer jobs, interest rates that can climb well above 25 or 30 percent are excessive, unnecessary, and harmful both to family budgets and our economy," Whitehouse said in a statement.

"It's time to send a strong message to abusive lenders that they will no longer be able to take advantage of consumers without facing significant consequences," he added.

The formal part of the hearing starts at 2 p.m., in the auditorium at William C. Gaige Hall on the Rhode Island College campus, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence.

Depending how long that portion of the hearing takes, the question-and-answer session could start some time after 4 p.m.

The entire hearing, titled "Credit Cards and Bankruptcy: Opportunities for Reform," is free and open to the public.