Low and non-existent Credit?

Question

How can I get a charge card when I don't have any credit and my husband's is moderate - upper 500's ... NO ONE will give us a credit card.

We really want to establish some credit for the future.

Any suggestions?!

Answer 1

Hi Natalie,
Maybe the biggest like Discover or Citibank won't give you a card, but they don't specialize in bad-credit customers. There are card issuers who will approve you.

The key in your case is to shop around as much as possible. Why? Simply because the more you look, the more chance you have of finding a better deal.

I did a little surfing on the Web for you, and did find a site that for helping you find the best card and comparison: http://www.lendersrated.com/index.htm
Click on "Credit Cards If You Have Bad Credit"

I hope this helps you.
Leafgreen

Answer 2

I agree about trying for a secured card.

Bank of America, Orchard Bank and HSBC have card selectors on their sites that will not pull hard inquiry's for a recommendation. If you apply for a recommended card then they will pull a hard inq.

Orchard and HSBC are great starter cards, whether they are secured or not. But they won't grow with you.

Bank of America has great secured cards and they will grow with you. If you keep the account in good standing, you should see it unsecure somewhere around 9 to 12 months. BofA will also give better credit increases than Orchard or HSBC and will eventually work with you on a interest rate reduction.

Try for one or two secured cards, then in about 4 to 6 months try Walmart, Target etc.

If your husband has scores in the upper 500's, he may qualify for a Chevron/Texaco gas card. C/T sometimes gives people a card they call a "rebuilder" if the person does not qualify for the regular card. The rebuilder does have a small fee.

You might go to the site I've listed. Click on the Forums button then look to the upper right for CreditPulls. If your husband has a score of, say 580, enter 600 in the score box. Then when you get to the information, you can click on creditor, score, credit bureau etc and it will sort the information for you.

Answer 3

You should be able to get a credit card. It will just have a terrible APR and a low limit. But you will never create credit without starting some good credit. As far as your husbands credit. Look it up. You now have the right to one free credit report from each of them. annualcreditreport.com is the site. Check out what is making his credit soooo terrible. Might be something on there that isn't his, lots of fraud going around. Check past addresses to make sure there are none that are not his. If he still owes some creditors resolve it. If it is a credit card call them up and find out were they are willing to settle (usually for the original debt without all the late charges and interest piled on). Any collections pay! If you want to fight something on the report there is a section to do this on-line. Good Luck. Hope his credit is fixable or he might just have to file bankruptcy, but better sooner than later.

Answer 4

If anyone of you are students, you can apply for the student credit cards. However if you guys are not students, then I would first start off by maintaining good credit (pay all bills on time,etc). Also you can get visa check cards from places like Washington Mutual which you can still use as a credit and just put enough money in that account to cover the purchase. HOWEVER, if you don't have the money to cover the expenses then I don't think you should get a credit card.

Answer 5

He can co-sign with you at a local bank. Go to your bank and ask them to help you out.

I had no credit because my parents paid for all of my school, expenses, etc.

I had to work hard to get it in the mid-800's.

I went to my bank and they set me up on a student master card. It helped a lot. My parents pay cash for everything and don't care about credit, so they never thought it would be something important to me. It was nice that they paid for everything, but it was a problem as I got older and went out on my own.

You also need to take out a small loan for $2,500 or something like that and pay it off. Do that a few times to help with your credit. Your interest may be high because you're high risk, but you can get a small loan to get you started. Have your husband co-sign.

Credit needs to include credit cards and also loans for cars, house, etc. It's a balance between the two.

Creditors love people with bad credit - it's no credit that's the problem.

Answer 6

What about a debit/charge card? Target might give someone a shot with a 500 score as would probably an American General loan office.

Answer 7

Target - they normally will give you a Target credit card (only to be used there) but it will be a start - also try Cato's or similiar locally own stores! GOOD LUCK!@

Answer 8

google for a secured credit card

you have to put X amount of $ into their bank account and they give you the X amount of credit

Answer 9

Utility bills in your name?

Once you have that, go to Sears or Filenes. HAve you tried them? Maybe you have.

Answer 10

No problem get one at - try orchard bank they approve almost everyone

http://www.dgftaworld.net