Can you get a credit card without a Social Security number?

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In the US, banks and the institutions backing department store credit cards require Social Security numbers; this is the only way to reference previous credit history (this may not apply to Canadian citizens).

As for a secured credit card, an institution may issue it as long as the collateral (the cash to secure it) matches the amount that is desired for the credit card.

Internationally speaking, depending upon what country you are from, they may use other standards for issuing a credit card.

Answer

I did a google search for "prepaid debit cards" and it gave me a plethora of answers. There are companies in the U.S. that will issue prepaid or "preloaded" debit and credit cards. The down side to these cards is that there is usually a high "initation or sales" fee (You "purchase" the card from the company which is usually around $50.00) and each time you use your card to make purchases or withdraw cash the fee can be as high as $1.50 per transaction. Also to "reload" or add more money to the card you may be charged a percentage or some other fee. That, as far as I have found, so far, is the price for retaining your privacy.

Answer

Yes there are.
Here is list of credit card compnies offering zero joining fees and zero annual fees. Check there offers and select which one is best for you,
http://credit-cards1.blogspot.com/

Copy and paste this link in your browser. It will open and show you links

Best of luck

Answer

I just got one yesterday. And it's VISA. So the answer is yes. Only GOVERMENT can demand your SIN or SSN. Creditors only care for your annual income.

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These are amazing answers...here's the truth....

You are not REQUIRED to disclose your SS# to get a credit card, open a bank account, etc.

Most of these financial entities want you to blv so, but under the Social Security Privacy law, a bank can not deny you privileges and rights because you refuse to disclose a number, which only identifies a government trust fund established for an individual. Social security numbers are only for that purpose, for the businesses of the the Social Security Administration.

In small claims court, you can, under this Privacy Act, sue and rcv a guaranteed $1000 for each offense. The majority of low level bank employees and managers do not know this, but most executive level employees do.

What you do is send a professionally written letter to the bank vice president, including the statement that this letter is being sent under the Privacy Act laws regarding Social Security numbers, and that you are seeking the right to open up a bank account at his/her institution, and would like him/her to set up an appointment with one of the bankers to open up a bank account at his bank. The executive will naturally brief the banker about alternative methods like using dummy numbers (which many banks have at their disposal), call you to set up a time, and you get your bank account. If they refuse, going to small claims court is cheap and requires no lawyer and you are guaranteed by this Privacy Act of monetary damages. In nearly all cases, the bank will back off.

With credit card applications, in the entry for your SS#, write SEE ENCLOSED LEGAL NOTICE, and submit the application along with a copy of the Privacy Act. Send by Certified mail along with Return Receipt. Some credit card companies will call you back and tell you what documentation and proof of imcome you will need to send to them, including references, employer statements, copies of W-2 (with SS# scratched off), etc. You might get lower than average credit limit but it works. The rest of the companies will deny your application, at which you either can send a leagl warning letter (nicely yet tactfully) explaining that you will sue for the Privacy Acts guaranteed award amounts in small claims court if they do not allow alternative means of proving ability to pay. Some of the card companies will back off. The rest of them you will make $1000 each offense.

Also, if any institution backs down after you file suit, follow through with the suit to get their penalties and then get your credit card.

A better way to avoid these procedures is to file for an ITIN from the IRS. You will have to build some credit history on the new number before getting a credit card, but you can get a bank account right away.

Keep searching on Google to find more information. The misinformation is out there as well as the information. It is a matter of distinguishing the two.

There are several companies that offer a Pre-Paid Debit Card. Since the Patriot Act, no banks will issue a bank account, or a credit card without having a Personal Identification Number. All banks accept a passport number as a Personal Identification number. You should be able to get a Pre-Paid Visa Debit card with NO ID at all. If you want a Credit Card, you will need to open a US Bank acccount using your Passport ID.

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I don't think so. If you need a social security card all you have to do is bring your birth certificate down to an agency and they will issue you a number. But if you are a legal resident they should have given you a number.

First answer by Hyonjik. Last edit by James79. Contributor trust: 56 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 386 [recommend question]

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