How to Get a Credit Score without a Credit Card

Credit cards can have a big impact on your credit score. The number of credit cards you hold, the spending limit on each card, and your payment history has an effect on your credit score. If you don't want to have credit cards but still want to build up a credit score, there are several other ways to do so. Many other types of accounts will also affect your credit score; if you open some of these accounts you can get a score without having a credit card.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take out a personal loan. If you have a savings account at a bank or credit union, you can take out a small loan that is secured by the account. This will allow you to get the loan easily without having a credit score. You will build your score based on how you repay the loan.

2. Take out a car loan. Lenders may be willing to give you this type of loan, even if you haven't already built up a credit score, because it is secured by the vehicle. This is especially true if you can make a large down payment that reduces the loan amount to a total below the car's actual value. The car loan will count in building a credit score.

3. Apply for a store-based credit account. Many stores that sell big-ticket merchandise, such as furniture and appliance retailers, will allow you to do this. Their criteria for granting a loan are often less stringent than credit card issuers', so you may be able to qualify without a credit score. These accounts help you build up a credit score based on the same criteria as a credit card account.

4. Request free copies of your credit report to make sure all of your accounts are being reported to the three major credit bureaus. You are entitled to get one free copy per year from each of the bureaus. If you do not see an account reported, contact the lender and ask if it will do so. The credit bureaus must get the information in order to figure it into your credit score.

5. Request your credit score from the free Credit Karma website. This will allow you to see whether your efforts at getting a credit score without having a credit card are successful.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you don't like to have credit card accounts, it may be wise to get one or two to help boost your credit score. Get credit cards that do not charge an annual fee and use them two or three times each year. The minimal use should keep the accounts open so they will count towards your credit score.

References

• Official site for free credit reports
• Free credit score

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How strong is your score?  Did you know checking your own credit won’t affect your score? Click here to see yours in two easy steps from Experian.