Lawmakers seek to rein in credit card firms targeting students

By David Goldstein - McClatchy Newspapers Credit card companies beware: Congress is watching. A flurry of bills is in the works in the House of Representatives and the Senate that would rein in how those companies do business. One proposed change that has triggered interest among lawmakers, particularly as the economy sours, would make it harder for college students to qualify for credit cards. "It really is just too easy," said Christine Lindstrom, the director of the Higher Education Project at the nonpartisan Public Interest Research Group. "They will do anything to be the first card in college students' wallets. They don't do credit checks. They don't even know if students have income." Companies often set up booths on college campuses and entice students with freebies such as T-shirts, sports caps, coupons for food and... [read full story]