Hsbc Bank HSBC USA high interest rates, changing rates without notice, price gauging Baltimore, Maryland

I am writing to you so for assistance and so you can possibly shed some light on a horrible practice banks are undertaking.  I recently looked at the interest rate on my HSBC line of credit (overdraft account) and it was raised to 17.99% APR. I was never notified of this change.  I called the bank and they stated they notified me in December of 2009. How convenient just 2 months before the new governmental regulations go into effect for banks and credit cards. When I asked them to lower the rate they said no.  They told me this was the floor rate prime plus 11 something percent. They also told me that this was not a credit card and could be treated differently. I said it is linked to my debit and credit atm card so it sure is a credit card. They refused to lower my interest rate to a fair rate of 11.99 percent. I am struggling to get out of debt and I am on limited disability income.  The banks and credit cards are making it difficult for anyone to get out of the wholes they are in.  The government knowing we are in a recession is allowing them to take advantage of consumers.  I hope someone  will help me and take a stand against the banks who are destroying our country once again.