In every case, they say they were fleeing not only the drought but also conflict between Somalia's weak government and the al-Shabab Islamist militant group.

BBC: East Africa drought: Somalis engulf Ethiopian town

Some of the worst-offending cards are those targeted to borrowers with weak credit, the most vulnerable group.

FORBES: Card Sharks

"We expect the second half of 2008 will be more challenging than the first half as weak economic conditions and the consumer credit crunch continue, " said, Jim Farley, group vice-president for marketing.

BBC: Fresh troubles for US car giants

"He didn't pull back at all and end up with a weak bill, " said Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens' Crime Commission, a nonprofit criminal-justice policy group.

WSJ: Cuomo Signs New York Gun Laws