Building up credit

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Nick-Nick is right. I should've done this sooner. Especially since I will need evidence to remove the two year conditions. So maybe I should be on the store credit card as a joint holder instead of an authorized user?

For ROC, this was my method--

Because my husband was an authorized user, his name appeared nowhere on the statement. I figured that was no proof. So I took our cards, and placed them side by side on the copier showing each name, with same card number.

Chase

Mary Smith

123-------232

Chase

Joe Smith

123------232

Macy's

Mary Smith

343------111

Macy's

Joe Smith

343------111

I can't type the example side by side, but you get the idea...a page of four sets of matching credit cards. I blanked out the middle numbers for security purposes. It looked good as a piece of evidence showing we shared four credit accounts.

[annaandadam 11]

Try Discover. I know a number of people who started their credit in the US with them. Small credit line at first but tou can increase later.

Good luck!

[Dianna. 5]

For ROC, this was my method--

Because my husband was an authorized user, his name appeared nowhere on the statement. I figured that was no proof. So I took our cards, and placed them side by side on the copier showing each name, with same card number.

Chase

Mary Smith

123-------232

Chase

Joe Smith

123------232

Macy's

Mary Smith

343------111

Macy's

Joe Smith

343------111

I can't type the example side by side, but you get the idea...a page of four sets of matching credit cards. I blanked out the middle numbers for security purposes. It looked good as a piece of evidence showing we shared four credit accounts.

Thanks for the advice. My partner has added me as an authorized user to our Mastercard and our Best Buy card. But none of them asked for my SSN, they just asked for my full name and the cards arrived in the mail a few days later! Does this mean they won't count towards my credit score?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for the advice. My partner has added me as an authorized user to our Mastercard and our Best Buy card. But none of them asked for my SSN, they just asked for my full name and the cards arrived in the mail a few days later! Does this mean they won't count towards my credit score?

My cards reported to my husband's name to start a credit report, but I don't remember if they asked for a SSN or not. Have him/her call up customer service and ask a few questions. I am positive he is only an authorized user.

[Expat1 971]

I need to build up my credit here in the US. I have a bank account with the credit union but they do not offer secured credit cards.

So I was thinking about my options because I really do not want to be denied since that will affect my credit score.

My partner has excellent credit (800 range) so is it safe to get a credit card and have them co-sign? We are both at the same bank so do you think they'd approve me for an unsecured credit card with a low limit? We do not have joint accounts.

Also, my partner has a store credit card and is paying off a $500.00 balance with the minimum payment each month.

Would it be a good idea to have my name added to that account? We never miss a payment on it. Will this help my credit score?

My wife started building her credit with joint cards. I just added her to all of mine. A few months later, she was getting credit card offers in the mail and was able to get her own.

Capital One was the first card she got. They are pretty lenient but at first there is a low credit limit, like $1000.

She never got a secured card.

It is worth noting that during AOS interview in 2008 the IO copied a set of our cards to add to the file as evidence - same card number but different names. Implies at least that this is perfectly acceptable evidence for later stages (ROC).

Edited June 20, 2015 by Expat1