Any advice on SSN woes?

[bradcanuck 1]

I've been trying to open a bank account with my SSN and even get a JC Penney card among a couple other little things like a credit report. My SSN isn't in anyone's database so I can't get anyone to approve me of anything. I'm getting pissed because the SSA keeps saying oh go get a secured credit card. GREAT BUT HOW IDIOTS they won't give me anything they think my number is fake or not valid.

How do I get this number to "kick in" so to speak?

Anyone have experience with this?

[KiminON 0]

my experience is the same as yours. <sigh> it's pretty embarassing to get turned down for any kind of credit card.

i've been told to do the secured card route as well, but not many of those are even reported to the bureau's, so what is the point of that?

i've contacted RBC to see if I can get my Visa card switched to a RBC Centurian card even though i don't live near to any of their branches as a last hope.

[bradcanuck 1]

It's frustrating isn't it? The SSA office pleads ignorance, the credit bureaus do not answer their phones... so we are sort of just sitting in limbo I guess. The bank just shrugs, pizzmeovv.

[thermophile 0]

can your wife add you on as a joint owner of some of her credit cards? Discover has told me that adding the hubby as a joint owner (not just authorized user) will help him begin to build a credit history.

[gwenneh 7]

Hubby just got a CapitalOne Visa card with his brand new social security number. Try them, they have several cards to pick from. The interest rate isn't great, but it's an unsecured card and a step in the right direction.

[cmartyn 0]

I think the issue you are having is that you have no credit rating, not that you have no SSN in the system. THats fairly normal for a new number. To get a credit rating, you need a credit card. Or a loan or mortgage. Best thing to do is be an authorized user on someone elses card or get a secured card. The biggest factors in your credit rating are the length of time you have had credit and your debt to credit ratio. Dont become an authorized user on someones card who has bad credit. Get a secured card instead.

[KarenCee 3]

I think the issue you are having is that you have no credit rating, not that you have no SSN in the system. THats fairly normal for a new number. To get a credit rating, you need a credit card. Or a loan or mortgage. Best thing to do is be an authorized user on someone elses card or get a secured card. The biggest factors in your credit rating are the length of time you have had credit and your debt to credit ratio. Dont become an authorized user on someones card who has bad credit. Get a secured card instead.

This is the same issue my husband had too. I added him to my credit card and it wasn't too long before he had a credit rating. It helped when applying (and getting) our mortgage. If he wanted to now, he could apply for a credit card in his name. Just our experience.

[J&K 0]

If you're going to become an authorized user on someone's card, you had better do it quick and start your own credit going. Sometime in the very near future, the credit bureaus will stop counting the authorized user towards your credit score.

This was supposed to have begun in September 2007, but they are lagging a bit behind.

I know how frustrating it is to not have a credit rating down here. I was (thankfully) able to use my Canadian credit rating to get a few cards, and then switched my SIN to my SSN and now have 5 positive tradelines showing. I still have to let them age a bit though.

Your best bet is to get a couple of the credit starter cards, like the Capital One (beware with that one though. If they give you they $300 Credit Limit...and then get an increase to $500 at the 6 month mark, it WILL NOT go any higher. It's meant to be a starter card). Other places like Orchard are also a good place to start. They have a secured card that does report to All 3 Credit Reporting Agencies.

DO NOT use First Premier. SUB SUB Prime. I repeat...DO NOT USE THEM.

Once you get your foot in the door, you can and will start getting approved.

I got my first online approval with Wal-Mart on Christmas Day. It was only $125 but they used my US Credit and I got approved with no problems (only having 5 months of credit history down here).

Good luck with your Credit Journey!

[Earmuffs 1]

i got a capital one credit card the same day i got my SSN.. only had $500 limit but better than nothing..

[Flames9_RN 358]

And when it comes to a mortgage, you don't have to be on the mortgage. I wasn't, but was put on the title! I had no clue what my credit score would be, so didnt bother. Guess that depends on ur spouses credit rating as well

Ya i read or saw that on TV that they are changing the authorized usaer thing!! Think it was on that Suzy Orman on MSNBC awhile back!!

[Marilyn. 340]

we had no problems adding my name to my hubby's account...

my first credit card was a Chase Amazon card but the interest rate is #######... then I cot a capital one card...

[*JG* 2]

It took a while for Andre's to clear the system. Just give it some time.

[Flames9_RN 358]

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index Don't forget your entitled to a FREE credit report each year! They wont tell you your actual score,but you can check to see the information they have is correct

[J&K 0]

Annualcreditreport.com is great. I've used it to check and make sure that 5 Tradelines I have are reporting and are correct.

Just remember, the only place to get your TRUE score is at http://www.myfico.com You will have to wait until you have at least 6 months of credit in order to get your score, or it won't be able to calculate it.

They can be expensive to buy all three scores from Equifax, Experian and Transunion, but they usually have discount codes. The one I use for my husband is mw01 and it gives you 20% off each score price.

The best way to get a good card, without the really high interest rates, it to get in with a Credit Union if you can.

I know that Emancipation and myself were able to join Navy Federal (pretty much the best in giving away credit) and we both got a Credit Card from them without any credit down here. They will just want to verify you have a job etc.

Once I have built up a score and have been good with them, NFCU has, what is called in the credit world, the NFCU Trifecta. Which is the Visa, MC, and Line of Credit. Once you're in with them, you're pretty much guaranteed all three.

Good luck to all trying to build!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I found that link on the IRS website, so it should be reliable. One can find many sites that say free credit reports, but wouldnt trust them!!