Credit Card: unable to confirm identity

[BirdBird 0]

My spouse and I understand that to begin to develop a credit history for her it is often recommend that one consider options such as getting a secured loan, getting a secured card and/or getting a shopping store credit card first.

The problem is that the shopping store credit card department sent us a letter saying that the entity that was contracted to confirm her identity was unable to do so with adequate confidence. We were provided an address but no phone number which makes me suspect this could be a long and drawn out process. Could the problem be that she has minimal past history in databases. Or perhaps the issue was a typographical or speaking error or some trivial non-consistency like middle initial.

Anyone have experience with this and a suggestion?

Note, the letter does not seem to be saying that my spouse was rejected for lack of credit history, not in those terms.

[rutabaga 209]

Which lender/store?

Edited April 30, 2016 by rutabaga

[NikLR 13,227]

Even my own company seems to think they can't confirm my identity for a store credit card (Target.) I've finally decided to send the information off to the credit bureaus to get my credit report and hope it ends this little annoyance. I suggest you guys do the same! Hubs said even he had to do that the first time and he was born and raised here.

I happen to know my credit score, according to the bank. I even have a credit card in the USA, acquired with my credit score in Canada, but continuing with my SSN so building my credit here. I was able to get a loan on a motorbike too, so I have a credit history as well!

[Dave&Roza 748]

My spouse and I understand that to begin to develop a credit history for her it is often recommend that one consider options such as getting a secured loan, getting a secured card and/or getting a shopping store credit card first.

The problem is that the shopping store credit card department sent us a letter saying that the entity that was contracted to confirm her identity was unable to do so with adequate confidence. We were provided an address but no phone number which makes me suspect this could be a long and drawn out process. Could the problem be that she has minimal past history in databases. Or perhaps the issue was a typographical or speaking error or some trivial non-consistency like middle initial.

Anyone have experience with this and a suggestion?

Note, the letter does not seem to be saying that my spouse was rejected for lack of credit history, not in those terms.

The first thing I did was put my wife on our bank accounts, credit card, and opened her own account. I then put her as beneficiary on my retirement account and as joint owner of other investment accounts. This got her SSN into the system with debit and assets. After about 6-8 months, I checked her credit score and her FICO was 720. She tried to open a MACYs account and was denied because they could not verify her income--she has none, but we were reporting my income as her husband. She then tried to open a Banana Republic Visa and was successful. She has had a credit score better than mine on a few occasions, but for the most part it follows mine.

I have heard that some companies do not have the correct SSN verification software and cannot handle the new number scheme. It think it is important to get some assets associated with the SSN and not just debit. It does take time for the big three to get new people into the system---look at college students.

Dave

[Transborderwife 4,666]

This is typical if your address doesn't match one on your credit history or some sort of ID given doesn't match.

[BirdBird 0]

Which lender/store?

I think it was TJMax.

[BirdBird 0]

Even my own company seems to think they can't confirm my identity for a store credit card (Target.) I've finally decided to send the information off to the credit bureaus to get my credit report and hope it ends this little annoyance. I suggest you guys do the same! Hubs said even he had to do that the first time and he was born and raised here.

I happen to know my credit score, according to the bank. I even have a credit card in the USA, acquired with my credit score in Canada, but continuing with my SSN so building my credit here. I was able to get a loan on a motorbike too, so I have a credit history as well!

Thanks! What information do you mean that you sent to the credit bureaus? Do you mean a copy of your SSN document, copy of address from Bank Account?

[rutabaga 209]

Okay, if it is TJ Maxx, then the issuer is Synchrony Bank and your wife can try calling 1-800-480-0186 to attempt to resolve the issue/get more info on what the actual issue is.

P.S. Capital One is good to try for people with thin/no credit files. I'd go for the Platinum (no rewards, but no annual fee) or Quicksilver One (1.5% back, but with a $39 annual fee) or, if that fails, with their secured card. Also, if you can't get them to open the TJ Maxx card because of the ID issue, you could try opening a Walmart Store card for her (same issuer as the TJ Maxx card actually) in person (i.e., in a store) where they can verify her identity (if she has a drivers license).

Edited April 30, 2016 by rutabaga

[NikLR 13,227]

Thanks! What information do you mean that you sent to the credit bureaus? Do you mean a copy of your SSN document, copy of address from Bank Account?

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

Go here and it will give you the form and tell you what to send.

[Rich and Wen 101]

The way we did it was to open up a bank account with her name primary. Then apply for a secured card from that bank. Charge items, pay off. Repeat several months. After a while, other companies will begin sending you solicitations for cards. Open one of those cards. Use it, pay off. Repeat. Cancel secured card, no longer needed. After another while, open up another card. Use it. Pay off. Repeat. Not quick, but certain.

[NikLR 13,227]

I despise all the credit card offers I get. Ugh. I have one card, that's not secured, attached to a bank that's easy to pay off. The amount of junk mail in the USA is like a large forest per day.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Has she tried going to the bank where you have your bank accounts? Depending on how long/how good a customer you've been, the bank might be able to help her out. That's what I did when I moved over three weeks ago. I went to Bank of America, told them I'm finally here and this is what I need. They helped me get a proper credit card and once I got my SSN, they helped me get an auto loan too. The credit card will have a small credit at first, till they see how good she is at paying back but it's a good start, as long as she only uses about a third of the limit and pays on time. From my personal experience, it's way easier to get credit through your bank, where you've been a loyal customer then with stores and other places.

You haven't filled in your timeline so I don't know when your wife got to the US. Does she have her SSN yet? That could have been why they couldn't confirm her identity.

[N and J 88]

My spouse and I understand that to begin to develop a credit history for her it is often recommend that one consider options such as getting a secured loan, getting a secured card and/or getting a shopping store credit card first.

The problem is that the shopping store credit card department sent us a letter saying that the entity that was contracted to confirm her identity was unable to do so with adequate confidence. We were provided an address but no phone number which makes me suspect this could be a long and drawn out process. Could the problem be that she has minimal past history in databases. Or perhaps the issue was a typographical or speaking error or some trivial non-consistency like middle initial.

Anyone have experience with this and a suggestion?

Note, the letter does not seem to be saying that my spouse was rejected for lack of credit history, not in those terms.

Go with a secured credit card!! Discover is good or Capital One. I did it that way in 2013 to build up my credit for student loans. It worked like a charm. Look for a card that will convert to a regular charge if possible. Do not do a store care because then you are only limited to that store but with a secured card she can use it anywhere. I built my credit up from 500 to 700 now. in not even 3 years. After that she will be able to get regular credit cards. Use your phone number. I went with Merrick bank i started with putting 300 on it. You don't need a bank account with them. The only downside to them is after the first year you are charged 3.00 every month whether you use the card or not.

[N and J 88]

The way we did it was to open up a bank account with her name primary. Then apply for a secured card from that bank. Charge items, pay off. Repeat several months. After a while, other companies will begin sending you solicitations for cards. Open one of those cards. Use it, pay off. Repeat. Cancel secured card, no longer needed. After another while, open up another card. Use it. Pay off. Repeat. Not quick, but certain.

you do not cancel a credit card. It will hurt your credit score. The length of your oldest credit card is a major factor in when other companies determine if they want to give you a card.

Okay, if it is TJ Maxx, then the issuer is Synchrony Bank and your wife can try calling 1-800-480-0186 to attempt to resolve the issue/get more info on what the actual issue is.

P.S. Capital One is good to try for people with thin/no credit files. I'd go for the Platinum (no rewards, but no annual fee) or Quicksilver One (1.5% back, but with a $39 annual fee) or, if that fails, with their secured card. Also, if you can't get them to open the TJ Maxx card because of the ID issue, you could try opening a Walmart Store card for her (same issuer as the TJ Maxx card actually) in person (i.e., in a store) where they can verify her identity (if she has a drivers license).

No annual fee for quicksilver anymore =)

[NikLR 13,227]

You can cancel a secured card if you can't change it to an unsecured. The hit on your credit score won't be big enough of a deal to matter at that point as long as you're not making any large purchases at that time that need a loan.