1.   Card issuers say they most often encounter disputes involving unauthorized use of a card and billing errors.

2.   Card issuers say students are being allowed to establish credit under convenient terms and have proved no more likely to default than typical card holders.

3.   Card issuers say that they are providing a service that students want, and that they try to educate them about using cards wisely.

4.   Card issuers say they distribute learning materials that teach students about how credit works and what happens if they fall behind in payments.

5.   In fact, customers who meet such standards may even benefit from the new trend because their rates could decline, issuers said.

6.   The issuers say their actions are intended to stem the rise in credit card delinquencies, which reached a record high this year.

7.   While many credit card issuers say they need to keep interest rates up to cover rising delinquencies and defaults, some experts say that argument is specious.

8.   Banks and credit card issuers say the red flags should go up for cardholders if they are asked to provide their number.