What are some practical ways to get a credit score without getting a credit card?

I have no credit at all because I don't make large purchases, and I don't use credit cards. What are some good ways to get a credit score without getting a credit card? I have a checking account will that help in any way?|||Unfortunately, these previous two answers are inaccurate - as is VERY common with consumers today. We just aren't told accuracies because few people truly KNOW them because we aren't taught. I have 20 years experience in credit and finance and now head a consumer awareness program for consumers in and the following is FACT:





1) You do NOT need credit cards to establish and create credit scores but read on


2) You DO need MINIMUM 3 accounts to get a credit score


3) You do NOT need to be in 'debt' to get a credit score


ALL of these are 'myths' we must dispel. Here is what you NEED to do, whether you like it or not - and please realize I am NOT a fan of the conspiracy of credit - but we need to deal with it.





Quickest, easiest and cheapest way:


1) 1 account - go to your bank where you have your account, have them do a 'secured' loan against some of your balance. Let's say $1000 loan. they will take $1000 of your balance and put it into a different account or 'freeze' that amount in your account. You then make the monthly payments to pay the loan off - do NOT pay it off earlier than 1 year. Since you are establishing credit - you want to start establishing decent LENGTH of credit accounts.


2) Then research the National Banks that have 'Secured Credit Cards' and obtain one. ONLY use TRULY secured credit cards which work identically to the secured loan with your bank that we discussed here. DO NOT use ANY OTHER TYPE OF CARD OFFER YOU SEE. They Scams meant to get consumers who don't want to part with any of their money and deposit with a bank and are RIDDLED with hidden fees and WILL RUIN your credit before you EVER get it built. BTW, you technically CAN use the $1000 dollars from your bank loan to deposit for the secured credit card - I don't recommend it but you can.


3) Then do the same thing again for ANOTHER Secured Credit Card just as in step 2 - don't worry if the credit limits are $500 or $1000 based on your deposit, these work just fine - BUT don't get cards with only $250 limits - one if you HAVE to, but not both.


4) You MUST USE YOUR CARDS to be certain they report to the bureaus. BUT DON'T PAY INTEREST on them, this is not necessary. Just pay off the balance AS SOON AS THE BILL comes in. If you don't LIKE the idea of credit that's fine - pay only the stuff you'd use cash for in the first place like gas or a loaf of bread - IT DOESN'T MATTER how much you charge on the account - only that you USE the card.


5) Lastly AND EXTREMELY importantly, find a resource for Learning about credit and your finances - since you're new to this, you MUST get all of the education possible. Credit Literacy Group will be online inside of the next 30 - 60 days and if you are a student, military or first responder the access is free to you.





In no time at all, you'll be offered many other credit cards. You'll be then able to to open new accounts and obtain your deposits back. The banks you opened the Secured Cards with, will likely make you this offer to return your money.





Once you have become aware and knowledgeable about credit by learning in step 5, you'll be unafraid of credit and see the necessity for it. UNFORTUNATELY it IS needed - not the debt but the scores. Credit Scores are NOT ONLY used for credit offers anymore but now even:


- employment, insurances (health, home, auto and life), and soon much much more.


So you MUST get scores and learn how to manage them - PLEASE for your sake take these steps INCLUDING the learning -it is essential.





Good luck!|||You don't need credit card but you need a history of paying back loans, such as car loans, home loans. Checking accounts helps but not much in building your credit history. The information in your checking account will not be visible to other companies and thus cannot be used as a credit history.|||Hmm..somebody told me once to get like a gas card or something and that could build some credit but idk if that would work. My suggestion is for you is to just get a credit card with the lowest amount possible and just use it to get like a coffee or something every week or so. That way when you pay it back its not an overwhelming amount. You do NOT want to max it out like i did with mine lol|||You could get a small loan from your bank, a few hundred dollars and pay it back over time so they report it. You can get a secured loan or credit card, a store credit card but basically you have to have debt (short term) to get a credit score.|||no cradit card, means no credit records for your credit score, so you need a credit card to have a credit score