A Social Security number (SSN) is a term used for a nine-digit number assigned by the U.S government to its legal residents. Your SSN is mainly used to monitor employment and earning rates for Social Security benefits. Show
However, both citizens and non-citizens also use their SSNs to apply for bank loans and bank accounts and determine their credit scores. You can do all these with your SSN. But there is a big question: Can you check your credit scores without your SSN? Can I Check My Credit Scores and Reports without a Social Security Number?If you are an immigrant or international student without an SSN, you can access your credit by:
If you do get a SSN, your credit history will be added to your credit reports. Can I Positively Impact My Credit Scores Without a Social Security Number?Credit scores are important to people living in the United States because the better your credit score, the better your chances of getting a loan and the lower your interest rates. To positively impact your credit scores without having a SSN, you can do these: 1. Open a Bank AccountU.S-based financial institutions keep credit reporting information and can report them to the major credit bureaus. With no SSN, you can either use your passport, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or a government-issued identification number. 2. Get a Credit CardCredit card providers also keep credit histories and can report them to the three major credit bureaus. Personal identifiable information such as name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, etc., are used as identifiers to compile a credit report. Credit card providers can use ITIN issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for applicants that are taxpayers to process their credit cards. Using your credit card and managing your debts responsibly can help your positive affect your credit. 3. Request for LoansFinancial institutions use other government-issued identification other than your Social Security number to process loans for people. After you take out a loan, this can be reported to the major credit bureau that further create your credit report and update your credit scores. 4. Pay Utility BillsUtility companies can report your information to major credit bureaus. Therefore, bills you pay for utilities such as internet, electricity, water, etc., can be reported and used in assisting your credit report and scores. Missed or late payments may result in a negative credit score. What To Do If You Get a Social Security Card?Once you get a SSN, you can easily monitor your credit reports and scores. You Social Security card is a valuable possession. It helps you have access to your credit reports and scores and services as an important identifier issued by the government for U.S. residents. You can get a credit score without an SSN. Although in most cases a social security number is required, some banks offer special credit cards for those who don’t have an SSN. This can help build your credit history and FICO or other credit scores. In addition, by availing rent reporting services, taking auto loans, purchasing a car through a credit card or by opening well-managed bank accounts, you can get a credit score. Most foreigners, immigrants, and students in the U.S. who don’t have social security numbers think they can’t get a credit score, but there are several options available. Credit Score Apps
Can a MoneyLion loan from the Credit Builder Plus program increase your credit score? We’ll share the details in our MoneyLion review.
Experian Boost is a free service that allows you to add eligible, on-time payments to your credit report, potentially increasing your credit score.
Learn how the Self credit builder account can help you improve your credit health or build credit while you also save money. How Is a Credit Score Tracked Without an SSN?Some credit bureaus can locate your credit information with name, date of birth and address. There are several unique identifiers used to match credit account information to a credit file and SSN is only one of them. Having an SSN increases the accuracy of the matching process, but it isn’t always required to compile your credit report. By convincing a lender to open a credit account, you could get a credit score without an SSN. Lenders are the major credit reporting sources that record your credit payment history, like how much debt you have and whether you’ve paid your bills on time. They report this to credit bureaus regularly. If an account has been opened for you and reported to credit bureaus, they will use all the provided identification information to compile a credit report, when a request is made. If you ever decide to obtain an SSN, then your credit history would be attached to your credit profile. How Do You Check Your Credit Score With Tax ID?Checking your credit score with a tax ID (ITIN) is easy. If you’ve built credit with your tax ID, you’ll check your credit score using that same tax ID as that’s how the credit bureaus will identify you. You’ll still need to provide other personally identifying information like your name and address. As long as your creditors have been reporting your payments to the credit bureaus, you’re building credit and you’ll have an account just like everyone else. Also, just like people who use a social security number, you are entitled to get one free credit report per year. However, you might need to pay a small fee in order to access your credit score. It depends on the bureau where you request your free credit report. Anytime you’re checking your credit history and/or score, it’s a good idea to get your credit report from all three credit bureaus. Some of your credit history might be reported to all three, while other accounts are only reported to one. If you check your credit report, get your credit score, and notice some of your financial history is missing, don’t panic. It’s normal for people using a tax ID to not have their entire credit history reported to the bureaus. Credit Score Apps
Can a MoneyLion loan from the Credit Builder Plus program increase your credit score? We’ll share the details in our MoneyLion review.
Experian Boost is a free service that allows you to add eligible, on-time payments to your credit report, potentially increasing your credit score.
Learn how the Self credit builder account can help you improve your credit health or build credit while you also save money. How Do You Check Your Credit Without SSN or Tax ID?If you’ve built credit and don’t have a social security number or a tax identification number, you might be wondering how to check your credit score. The good news is that you can check your credit score using two different methods:
Whether you’re checking your credit score with an SSN or a tax ID, your credit score is determined by the same factors:
Credit scores are calculated based on the following factors:
When Does Your Credit History Start?Your credit history starts from the day you first take out a loan. To provide evidence to build credit, you need a credit card. This means that to build a credit score, you can apply for a credit card that does not require SSN. For people with no credit history, a secured credit card is also a good option to get a credit score without SSN. The length of credit history holds a major weight in calculating a credit score. Building Your Credit Score Without An SSNYou don’t always need an SSN to rent an apartment, purchase a car, or open a bank account. These three actions can help you build up your credit score without SSN. Buying a car can help establish credit if you make on-time payments on your auto loan. Paying rent on time can also help you get a credit score. Renting an apartment is similar to a loan that you pay back in monthly installments. From this perspective, timely rent payments help your credit score. You can also use a credit card to pay for your rent. This will boost your credit score indirectly. Open a credit card and use it to pay your rent, then pay your credit card balance in full each month. You can also use this same concept when making your car payment. Keep on top of your credit score by monitoring it regularly. |