Build or rebuild your credit with a secured credit card

Can’t get credit because of bad credit? Start here.

A secured card breaks the loop of “no credit because you have no credit.” You put down a refundable deposit, which becomes your limit. You then use the card like any other, and the issuer reports your payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. Responsible use builds exactly the kind of history lenders want to see.

A simple, secure process

1. Deposit. Open the account with a refundable security deposit. Many cards start around $200.
2. Use. Put a small, regular expense on the card, such as a streaming subscription or gas once a month.
3. Track. Watch the account and your scores in the CSA client portal.
4. Improve. Pay in full and on time. Your score grows with every reported month.

How to get the most from a secured card

• Keep the balance well under 30% of the limit. Under 10% is best.
• Pay the statement in full each month so you never pay interest.
• Set up autopay so a missed due date cannot undo your progress.
• After six to twelve months of on-time payments, ask the issuer about graduating to an unsecured card.

Which card is right for you?

Cards differ in deposit minimums, annual fees, and whether they graduate to unsecured. Your CSA counselor can recommend a card that reports to all three bureaus and fits your budget, and can show you how it works alongside credit repair if your file also has errors to dispute.

Disclosure: Creditservicesofamerica.com and its affiliates may be paid commissions on a per-sale basis for credit card offers we recommend. We may also recommend cards for which we receive no commission. Opinions are our own and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any card issuer.