I received a "pre-approved offer" in the mail for an unsecured providian card. I don't have any credit. Whats a good place to try (and get!) a credit card with a low limit and ridiculous interest rate (~22% i figure) for a first timer? I know places like nextcard will deny me so i want to make an educated try so i get one and begin my credit. Never had any negative credit. just have an x.com and credit union checking account. Don't really want a secured card unless its like $49 for $500 limit. carrie -
RE: Where to get first credit Try Capital One. They have a secured card that's pretty good. www.capitalone.com
RE: Where to get first credit Carrie, If you don't want a secured card, you might try Providian, granted there rate is a little high but they increase your limit fairly quickly. You could use them to establish some credit, and then transfer to a card with a lower rate. Also recently Providian has been lowering rates to good customers. Down to around 16%. What ever you do, DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT, get a card from CROSS COUNTRY BANK, or as most people refer to CROOKS COUNTRY BANK. They are a bunch of thieves that will destroy your credit for years. And since your just starting out you don't need that kind of trouble. Erica suggested cap-One, they also a good source, they don't up you limit as fast as others but their customer service is good to work with. Good Luck to you. Always be leary of the offers that sound to good to be true, they usually are.
RE: Where to get first credit Or you might try getting a store card like Target. Now my very first credit card was a military card but Target is pretty good at giving a card to first timers. I know you probably want something like a Visa or Mastercard, but if you try Target and get one, you can use it a little pay it off all at once after a few months you'll have established some form of credit history and might be able to get a "real" credit card. Might work you never know.
