Article: College students and credit cards can be a ... Dangerous Combination Credit card marketers chasing college students

As a freshman at the University of Dayton, Sean Murphy succumbed to marketing pitches and acquired four credit cards that he regarded as "free money."

He wound up with a debt of at least $1,000 and a scolding from his father, who came to his financial rescue but urged him to become fiscally responsible.

Murphy, 19, now a sophomore, has cut back to two credit cards and took a job to earn money to pay down his debt. He said he has reduced it to about $500.

"I was stupid. I had a dad who bailed me out," Murphy said. "The first year is a big learning experience."

Marketers eagerly extend credit cards to college students on the nation's campuses, sweetening the offers with free T-shirts, ...

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