Credit card on my current SSN

[yukfou 0]

It all started about a month a go when I went to my bank (wamu) to apply for a secured credit card but I was told that my ssn is not in the system and I have to wait so I did wait for about a month. Yesterday I went again to apply for the card and was told its still not in the system. Today I called the Social security administration and I was told that its been in the system for about 2 months. I went bank to my bank today and this time I was told that I can't have a credit card because my social says valid for work only. Is that true?

[aidan80 9]

Sounds to me you need to find a new bank? When I first opened a bank account they did looked and reacted to my SSN Card which had the "Valid For Employment.." stamp very strangely. I think if my wife didn't already have an account there, no way they would have given me one.

[GeordieWife 1]

My husband was added to my bank account without any question. But he applied for a Capital One credit card the other day like the other thread suggests (online), and he was declined. We've yet to recieve the letter explaining why...but it could be because of the SSN being for work only....we'll have to wait and see what they say. I wonder if we'll have to change his SSN status when he gets his greencard? Maybe I'll call the SS office next week and see if I can find out. However, talking to someone over there is like calling the White House and asking for George.

[aidan80 9]

My husband was added to my bank account without any question. But he applied for a Capital One credit card the other day like the other thread suggests (online), and he was declined. We've yet to recieve the letter explaining why...but it could be because of the SSN being for work only....we'll have to wait and see what they say. I wonder if we'll have to change his SSN status when he gets his greencard? Maybe I'll call the SS office next week and see if I can find out. However, talking to someone over there is like calling the White House and asking for George.

I don't understand.. "for work only" what does that mean? If he has a SSN and it's been at least a month then that SSN should be ok? If he has an EAD then he's ok to work? I don't know how the credit industry obtain lists of valid SSN's or checks them but mine was fine with the bank after a month or two of having it, they just didn't like the "Valid For Employment..." stamp on the actual card. I did have that stamp removed when I got my green card, it wasn't easy as the person at the SSA didn't know it could be done until I gave her a copy of her own rules!

I do know if I had of attempted to apply for any credit at the start I'd been denied on the spot. If I had a job and was working at the start I'd still be denied I'd expect. Check some of the free credit report sites to see what his score is? I would advise against applying and applying for credit, I do know creditors don't like that and it will take him down a few points on each denial. Build up history (secured credit card?) then move onward from there.

What we did is used my name and SSN to pay certain bills at the start.. cable, city.. etc so it showed and attached a history of me actually paying bills even when I didn't have a job. When I got a job and applied for a Credit Card I got it in my first attempt. We moved house just a few months ago and having been working 1.5 years now, paying bills and using a credit card the city actually waived the deposit fee for the utilities. Last time we did this before I started working, they (the other city) wanted a deposit! It was only $150 - $200 not hard at all to pay now... but at the time it was only 1 person working making $8 an hour, 40 hour week... it wasn't easy at all.

I hope this helps?

[Jeraly 4]

Thanks for the info I should be able to get my SSN soon and wondered a few things also:

1) Will I be able to get a bank account as soon as I get my SSN?

2) How long would I have to wait until I get a CC or do I just have to build up a credit history first?

3) I brought my Amex card from the UK and I have heard this can help in getting a US Amex card - does anyone know any more info on this?

Thanks again It's weird feeling like a n00b again after becoming a K-1 veteran

[tucson_chick 0]

well - the easiest way to establish credit is to go with a secured visa/mastercard.

the way it usually works is that after receiving your SSN you go to the bank and open an account and apply for a credit card. they will tell you after one week that you got denied (go figure, as we have no credit history yet) and you receive a secured card. they open a savings account, put the amount of monthly balance in there, you want to be able to spend on your CC (up to 600 for BofA i believe). after one year of mishaps the bank gives you your deposit back and the secured card turns into a regular CC.

if they keep telling you that you aren't in the system yet, that sounds like major BS and you should go to another bank.

Bof A is really quick with fees, but you can usually go there and they will reemburse you.

[yukfou 0]

My husband was added to my bank account without any question. But he applied for a Capital One credit card the other day like the other thread suggests (online), and he was declined. We've yet to recieve the letter explaining why...but it could be because of the SSN being for work only....we'll have to wait and see what they say. I wonder if we'll have to change his SSN status when he gets his greencard? Maybe I'll call the SS office next week and see if I can find out. However, talking to someone over there is like calling the White House and asking for George.

I don't understand.. "for work only" what does that mean? If he has a SSN and it's been at least a month then that SSN should be ok? If he has an EAD then he's ok to work? I don't know how the credit industry obtain lists of valid SSN's or checks them but mine was fine with the bank after a month or two of having it, they just didn't like the "Valid For Employment..." stamp on the actual card. I did have that stamp removed when I got my green card, it wasn't easy as the person at the SSA didn't know it could be done until I gave her a copy of her own rules!

I do know if I had of attempted to apply for any credit at the start I'd been denied on the spot. If I had a job and was working at the start I'd still be denied I'd expect. Check some of the free credit report sites to see what his score is? I would advise against applying and applying for credit, I do know creditors don't like that and it will take him down a few points on each denial. Build up history (secured credit card?) then move onward from there.

What we did is used my name and SSN to pay certain bills at the start.. cable, city.. etc so it showed and attached a history of me actually paying bills even when I didn't have a job. When I got a job and applied for a Credit Card I got it in my first attempt. We moved house just a few months ago and having been working 1.5 years now, paying bills and using a credit card the city actually waived the deposit fee for the utilities. Last time we did this before I started working, they (the other city) wanted a deposit! It was only $150 - $200 not hard at all to pay now... but at the time it was only 1 person working making $8 an hour, 40 hour week... it wasn't easy at all.

I hope this helps?

I opened my bank account with wamu like the first week when I came to the U.S w/o the ssn. The only problem is that they don't accept ssn which say valid for work only. Well first they told me that its not even in the system so I called the ssn office and the lady told me it is, next day at the bank I was told that I can't have a cc because of ssn status so I applied with capital one and I still got denied but they couldn't explain the reason right away and was told that I will recieve a letter explaning the reason. I guess now I just have to wait until I get a regular ssn which sucks

[aidan80 9]

I opened my bank account with wamu like the first week when I came to the U.S w/o the ssn. The only problem is that they don't accept ssn which say valid for work only. Well first they told me that its not even in the system so I called the ssn office and the lady told me it is, next day at the bank I was told that I can't have a cc because of ssn status so I applied with capital one and I still got denied but they couldn't explain the reason right away and was told that I will recieve a letter explaning the reason. I guess now I just have to wait until I get a regular ssn which sucks

Sounds to me like you too need to find a new bank! There isn't anything wrong with your SSN! They can't and shouldn't deny you based on the stamp on your SSN, but I don't doubt they would. You tried a credit union? We actually just switched from the con men at BOA to a credit union. If you're still new in the county and haven't used credit or developed any history expect everyone to turn you down right away! Try building up a history, open a savings account, get a secured Credit Card or just work save and pay your bills.. it'll build up slowly!

Good Luck!