Spring Break
UA students join effort to urge safe credit usage
By: Cody Calamaio
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: News
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At the event, one of 34 that occurred at universities around the nation, students were encouraged to sign a petition supporting the adoption of a policy to limit the number of credit card companies that come to campus and encourage them to provide informational material and fewer gimmicks.
"It's something that's very underhanded from the credit card companies," said Angela Yazzie, a freshman majoring in biochemistry and molecular biophysics and a member of Arizona Student Public Interest Research Group. "They offer you free gifts and in the end they charge you almost triple what you took out. It's ridiculous and it should be stopped."
Wearing blue polo shirts adorned with a log that read "FEESA" and looked similar to the "VISA" logo on many credit cards, petitioners from the U.S PIRG and Education Fund's national campaign were handing out "Don't be a sucker" lollipops.
They were accompanied by a 7-foot blue wooden credit card monster cut-out that students could stand behind and get their picture taken for a Web gallery.
"We're trying to get students to sign a petition to stop credit card malpractices on campus," Yazzie said. "I have family that has gotten into the cycle of getting a credit card for another credit card payment. Obviously I didn't want that to happen for myself."
College students graduate with $4,000 of credit card debt, on average, according to truthaboutcredit.org, a project of the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.
Christine Filer, a communication
Credit card debt is a definite problem with college students.
I'm really glad there's a group out there trying to
alleviate it.
Christine Filer
communication
freshman freshman
, posed with her head in the mouth of the credit card monster at the event and said she was glad to sign the petition.
I'm really glad there's a group out there trying to
alleviate it.
Christine Filer
communication
freshman freshman
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Bonnie Warner
posted 10/14/07 @ 5:23 AM PST
Kudos to those fighting back to help students.
If you must have a credit card, join a credit union or if you are fortunate enough to be a member of USAA, get a card from them. (Continued…)
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