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Credit card companies are targeting children as young as 13 with products that allow them to pay with plastic instead of cash. Parents can monitor their children's spending habits, but there are potential pitfalls if users aren't careful.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks with Frontline reporter Lowell Bergman about The Secret History of the Credit Card, a new documentary by PBS and The New York Times. The film traces the rise of America's credit card industry and raises concerns about some if its business practices.

Companies including PayPal and Apple are competing to convince merchants and consumers to use their swipe-and-go mobile payment systems. Credit card breaches may speed up the use of digital wallets.

Banks are putting in more security hardware to prevent skimming, but cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs says, "It's an arms race."

Mastercard and Visa collect billions of dollars in fees each year from the nation's retailers. Merchants have long complained about the way those fees are determined. A lawsuit accusing Mastercard and Visa of antitrust violations is expected to go to trial in Brooklyn soon.

Economists are saying that October's surprisingly strong job growth will encourage the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates next month. So holiday shoppers may pay more for using credit cards.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have sent President Obama a bill that would rein in credit card fees and interest rates, while allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons in national parks. The Senate passed the measure Tuesday. The House acted on Wednesday.

MasterCard International reported Friday that 40 million credit card numbers may have been stolen. Merchants bear the brunt of fraudulent transactions. Credit card companies charge the merchants for the stolen services or merchandise and for additional fees.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Ted Rossman, industry analyst at CreditCards.com, about whether Apple's new credit card is disrupting the industry.

Credit cards have changed a lot — and so have the interest rates we pay. Here's how.