This is so messed up. I want to get a credit card, which I haven’t really felt the need for up ’til now, so I can build credit. I applied for one a few years ago when I lived in Florida, and got turned down for “Insufficient Credit.” I thought, okay, I’ll pay some bills, build up my credit some, and reapply. Well, here we are three years later–I’ve never paid rent late, don’t have any debt whatsoever, and a solid job. I decide okay, I’ll get a credit report first from the three reporting agencies just to make sure I’m in the clear. So I do, and it comes back with “No account information available,” even though further down in the report it shows companies have inquired about my credit, and so on and so forth–so I know it’s not a bogus report. I thought this very odd indeed, so I called the 1-800 number to speak with someone about it. I dialed the number yesterday and (this blew my mind) a real human being picked up on the second ring, and was very helpful to boot. I had anticipated having to wade through endless automated menus before being on hold for at least fifteen minutes. She scurried around, talked to various folks, and proclaimed that the consensus was that I just don’t have any credit. I couldn’t believe that, since there are certainly bills that I’ve paid late, and a medical bill even got transferred to a collections agency last year when my financial status was really dire. I thought if anything there would be some smudges against my record, but it appears there aren’t–but nothing positive either. I suppose no credit is better than bad credit… It’s got me in a catch-22, though, since it seems like I can’t build credit without a credit card and I can’t get a credit card without building credit. I swear, of all the things to do in America, I thought for sure getting a credit card would be one of the easiest. People own 3, 4, 5 of the things–I can’t get one. It’s really messed up.
get a secured credit card. it’s what arindam has had to do (being a non-resident alien and not having credit or any bills in his name). you put up $500 to secure a $500 credit line, the bank gives you a piece of plastic. you make little purchases that you could have afforded anyway just to get your credit going, and after a year or so you have a credit rating.
i wish i could redistribute my credit card offers. i’ve gotten up to seven offers a week in the mail, often repeats from companies and banks that i already have credit with.
get a department store card. that’s what my brother did since he didn’t have any credit. he got a kohl’s card, then was able to get a credit card with a crappy interest rate, then after built good credit with that cancelled that one and has a couple good credit cards now. since then, because he went from no credit to good credit, he was finally able, so he bought a house and a car. :-)
Good suggestion–I’ll look into it.
I shouldn’t have to, though. 18-year-old kids just entering college get credit cards all the time with no annual fee and a low APR… And they have *zero* credit. I’ve been paying bills on time for years. It’s mystifying.
I latched onto my mother’s credit then made my own for myself from age 16. Now I get different card offers daily.
But I know what you mean. I’m sorry honey :( I hope things work out!
i was going to suggest the department store card like above…
and/or a debit card that you can also use as a visa credit card, and actually use it.
*shrug* i have more credit cards than i want right now (counts: 3 of my own, 2 joint with my parents, and discover won’t leave me alone), though none have a balance…
I’ll have to check on that. I never buy anything from department stores, though (except very occasionally a tool from Sears).
Thanks!
I have the Visa debit/credit card already, but I really need a credit card proper… It was only by the grace of God that we were able to rent a car in Europe last year using only that card.
I do get many credit card offers in the mail… I should fill one of those out instead of just being lazy and trying to do it over the internet.
Thanks stina :) Things will work out.
credit cards are evil.
but they’re good in an emergency.
i agree that you should just fill out one of those mail-in offers.