More credit card companies are utilizing the universal default clause, and Call 4 Action reporter Meghan Jones says it could affect your credit score.

If you are more than 30 days late on any payment to anyone, the interest rate on all your credit cards could increase.

According to a recent consumer group survey, 39 percent of credit card companies admit that they use this practice on their customers, even if those customers have never made a late payment.

"This universal default clause basically says you, as a consumer, are responsible to pay all your bills on time," says Caryn Bilotta, of Consumer Credit Counseling

It's a relatively new practice, so you may believe you're safe. Not exactly. The clause may have been sent to you in the mail.

"The consumer would receive a notice that, as of this date, these new practices are going into effect," says Bilotta. "It's really up to the consumer to read that fine print."

Bilotta recommends getting in a habit of paying bills as early as possible -- maybe even as soon as you receive them.