How to spot a credit-card rip-off

6 of 7

No annual fee

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The Schumer Box will tell you what you'll pay each year for the privilege of being a cardholder. About two-thirds of cards don't charge an annual fee, according to a 2007 survey by Consumer Action.

The ones that do are typically airline or cashback rewards cards, but these also tend to come with high interest rates. Pay a fee only if you'll earn enough rewards to cover it and you don't carry a balance.

NEXT: What's not in the box

Last updated July 30 2008: 7:37 AM ET

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