Credit Cards

Using a credit card? Watch out for new 'swipe fees' being passed on from merchants to consumers.

First came mortgages. Now, courts are ruling against credit card issuers for sloppy paperwork or lack of proof when they sue alleged deadbeats.

A law restricting credit card acess for poor credit risks has resulted in fewer defaults.

Major credit card companies -- Visa and Mastercard -- as well as big banks have agreed to pay more than $7 billion to retailers to compensate for alleged price fixing of credit card fees. Some retailers think the settlement does not go far enough to protect retailers and consumers.

I am a graduate student in my mid-20s who has never had a credit card. While I have been able to get by without one, I have finally reached a stage in my personal and professional life where not having one has become a real inconvenience (when trying to reserve a rental car, for example). I would be grateful for advice on the cards, or kinds of cards, that I should seek or avoid for a first credit card -- as well as whether I'm likely to receive one, and (if not) what I can do to make myself a better candidate. Stephanie, Minneapolis, MN

I received a large bonus, and I'm going to use it all to pay down credit card debt. I have many cards. They all have about the same outstanding balances and about the same interest rates. At one time, most of the cards were "maxed out," which was bad for my credit score. Should I pay off a couple cards entirely, or should I make larger-than-usual payments to all of them, bringing down the outstanding balances substantially below the credit limits? Thanks. Henry, Chicago, IL

My husband and I gave our daughter $40,000 for a down payment on a condo. She defaulted on the loan and went into foreclosure. Consequently, our credit score has tanked. How can we get our old great credit back? Nobody cares that we were not the ones who defaulted. Please help. Cathy, Redmond, OR