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(AP) - Here are some tips for college students to avoid paying fees when using a college-issued debit or prepaid card:
_ Students who receive a debit card in the mail are under no obligation to activate the account to receive financial aid.
_ Students should know that although the card is called a debit card, they can be charged a 50-cent fee per transaction if they use it with a PIN. To avoid the fee, sign for the transaction as if it were a credit card.
_ Students should know which banks charge the lowest out-of-network ATM fees. They will incur these fees when they withdraw from an ATM machine not affiliated with the card.
_ To avoid overdraft fees, students with just a few dollars on their account should not have any recurring monthly charges on this account nor should they pay using checks from the account.
Source: U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
