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By Aleksandra Todorova,
Reporter, SmartMoney.com


IT'S NO SECRET THAT credit cards are laden with traps. Just combine a few big-item purchases with a high interest rate, add in some unexpected fees and make only the minimum payment -- you've got a recipe for debt disaster. American households now carry an average $9,660 in credit-card debt, according to industry Web site Cardweb.com.

That said, some credit cards are simply more treacherous than others: They come with lower credit limits, hike your rate for little or no reason and slam you with unexpected fees.

Here are five credit card features to avoid and some of the credit cards that use them.

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