One Chinese newspaper said there had been 20, 000 job losses in Dandong, a border town through which Chinese tourists usually pass on their way to North Korea by train.

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That isn't an option for charities, religious groups and other nonprofits, which usually can't pass along the fees because of rigid credit-card rules.

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In some areas, prospective tenants must pass a credit check, which usually means that you'll need to have a credit history.

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