Credit is killing you guys in America, it always amazes me how US banks are willing to give someone who earns $20k a year enough credit to spend $100k.
That is the road to poverty, people on low income driving $40k cars, wearing $100 sneakers, then complaining that they don't have enough money to pay the bills. Then we marvel at why the poor are charged the most; they are charged the most because they are the least likely to pay.
For every person like your friend who paid off their car (albeit by accident) there are another 20 who will default, so the 1 has to pay for the 20.
Rich people always pay...charge them less.
CG