# How to Build Credit History in the USA From Zero

Build US credit from zero: secured cards, credit-builder loans, ITIN options, free weekly reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and how to dispute errors.

To build credit history in the USA as a newcomer, you start from zero: until you have American credit accounts, the bureaus have nothing to report, however good your record was back home. You need at least one account that the lender reports to the credit bureaus, such as a secured credit card or a small credit-builder loan. After that, on-time payments and low card balances do most of the work.

Without a credit history it is harder to rent an apartment, finance a car or get a decent phone plan. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says lenders, cellphone companies, and auto and home insurers all use credit scores. You can build a file from nothing, and you can check it for free.

## How credit reports and credit bureaus work

A credit report is a record of how you borrow and repay: your accounts, your payments, any late payments. Three nationwide credit bureaus collect and sell these reports: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Their data can differ, so a score based on one bureau's file may not match a score based on another's.

If your report has too little information to produce a score, you have a "thin file". The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) calls someone with no history at any of the three bureaus "credit invisible". That describes almost everyone who just arrived.

Negative records last. According to the FTC, most negative information stays on your report for seven years, and bankruptcy for ten.

## What goes into a credit score

A credit score is a number calculated from your report by a scoring model, a mathematical formula. It predicts how likely you are to repay on time. The CFPB says most scores range from 300 to 850, and that nobody has just "one" score: the result depends on the model, the bureau the data came from and the day it was calculated. FICO is one such model.

| Factor | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Payment history | Late payments, collections and bankruptcy lower your score |
| Amount owed vs. limits | A balance close to your limit will probably hurt |
| Length of history | A short history may lower your score |
| New applications | Each credit application shows up as an inquiry |
| Number and types of accounts | A mix helps, but too many cards can hurt |

The CFPB says most scores treat repayment history as the number one factor.

## How to start a credit history from scratch

Start with one product you are likely to get and that the lender reports to the bureaus. The CFPB lists several options.

### Secured credit card

You put down a deposit equal to your credit limit and use the card like any credit card. Many banks and credit unions offer them. The CFPB warns that fees and interest rates can be high, and says that if you pay on time your limit may be raised and your deposit refunded. Before you apply, ask two things: does the issuer report to the credit bureaus, and on what terms you get the deposit back.

### Credit-builder loan

Banks and credit unions offer these. The loan money is held for you as savings and you cannot spend it, while you repay in small installments, usually over 6 to 24 months according to the CFPB. At the end you receive the full amount you paid, so it doubles as savings. Ask in advance whether the lender reports the payments to the bureaus.

### Store card

The CFPB says you can often get a card with a relatively low limit from stores, warehouse clubs and gas stations, and the low limit keeps you from running up a big bill. That makes them an option for a thin file.

### Authorized user on someone else's card

If a relative or close friend with good credit adds you to their card as an authorized user, the account may show on your report too: the CFPB says issuers usually report authorized user status to the bureaus. An authorized user generally does not owe the debt. Their late payments would show up next to your name as well, so only agree to a card that is paid on time.

### Rent payments

The CFPB says positive rental payments can help build your credit when they are reported. Ask your landlord whether they take part in a rental reporting program (often through a rent payment app), and consider any fees charged for the service.

All of these need a US bank account. Our guide to [opening a bank account without an SSN](/en/immigration/open-bank-account-usa-without-ssn) covers that step.

## Habits that keep your score up

- Pay every bill on time. Set up autopay for at least the minimum and turn on reminders. If you miss one, get current quickly.
- Keep card balances low. The CFPB cites expert advice to use no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit. With a $500 limit, that is $150 or less.
- You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest to have a good score. Pay the statement in full.
- Apply only for credit you need. Many applications in a short time can look like financial trouble to a scoring model.
- Be patient. The FTC says a big improvement will probably take time.

## Credit without an SSN: what an ITIN can and cannot do

The Social Security Administration (SSA) says you may need a Social Security number to open a bank account or apply for a loan. If you are eligible for one, get the number first; it is free. See our [guide to getting an SSN](/en/immigration/how-to-get-ssn-usa).

If you are not eligible for an SSN but have a federal tax reason, the IRS issues an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) through Form W-7. The IRS is clear that an ITIN is for federal tax purposes only: it does not authorize work, does not change immigration status and does not serve as ID outside the tax system. Details are on the [IRS ITIN page](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number).

Whether a bank or credit union accepts an ITIN on a card or loan application is up to that lender. Ask before you apply, and ask whether it reports the account to all three bureaus. When you later get an SSN, ask each lender how to update the account. If taxes, ITINs and W-7s are confusing, a [Russian-speaking accountant from our directory](/en/directory/accountants) can help.

## How to get your free credit report

There is one official site for free reports: AnnualCreditReport.com. The FTC says all three bureaus let you check your report there for free once a week. You can also order by phone or mail; those orders are processed within 15 days.

| Method | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online | AnnualCreditReport.com | Immediate |
| Phone | 1-877-322-8228 | Within 15 days |
| Mail | Annual Credit Report Request Form to P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 | Within 15 days |

Checked October 28, 2026 on consumer.ftc.gov.

Checking your own report does not hurt your score: the CFPB says it is not an inquiry about new credit. Scores are not part of the free report, but many card issuers show one free on your statement or in the app, and you can buy your FICO score at myfico.com. Watch out for look-alike sites and "free trial" offers that start billing when the trial ends. The [FTC page on free credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports) has the details.

## Disputing errors and avoiding credit repair scams

Disputing an error is free. The FTC says to write to each bureau that shows the mistake: explain what is wrong and why, include a copy of the report with the error circled and copies (not originals) of your evidence, and send it by certified mail with a return receipt. You can also dispute online or by phone.

| Bureau | Phone | Dispute address |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | 866-349-5191 | P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30348 |
| Experian | 888-397-3742 | P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 |
| TransUnion | 800-916-8800 | P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 |

Checked October 28, 2026 on consumer.ftc.gov.

The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must send you the results in writing; if your report changes, you get a free updated copy. Also write to the business that reported the wrong data. Sample letters are on the [FTC page on disputing errors](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports).

Credit repair companies cannot remove accurate information. By law they cannot charge you before they help, and they must give you a written contract with a three-day right to cancel. FTC warning signs: they want payment up front, tell you not to contact the bureaus, or suggest disputing accurate items, filing a false identity theft report or creating a "new credit identity". Report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

## Questions people ask

### Does my credit history from Russia or Ukraine transfer to the US?

Do not count on it. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion build reports from information lenders send them, and a newcomer usually has none, so the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would call that person "credit invisible". Most people start over with a secured card or a credit-builder loan that the lender reports to the bureaus.

### How much do I need to put down for a secured credit card?

The deposit equals your credit limit, and each bank or credit union sets its own minimum. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says that if you pay on time, your limit may be raised and your deposit refunded, but fees and interest rates on secured cards can be high. Before applying, confirm that the issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus.

### Does checking my own credit report lower my score?

No. The CFPB says checking your own report is not an inquiry about new credit, so it has no effect on your score. You can see your reports from all three bureaus free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site the FTC names as authorized for free reports.

### Can I build credit with only an ITIN?

Sometimes, but it depends on the lender. The IRS issues an ITIN for federal tax purposes only, and each bank or credit union decides whether to accept it on a card or loan application. Ask before you apply, and confirm that the lender reports the account to the credit bureaus.

### How long do late payments stay on a credit report?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, most negative information, including late payments, stays on your credit report for seven years, and bankruptcy stays for ten. Credit repair companies cannot legally remove accurate information sooner, and you can dispute errors with the bureaus yourself for free.


## Sources

- [CFPB: Credit reports and scores, key terms](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/answers/key-terms/)
- [CFPB: What is a credit score?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315/)
- [CFPB: How do I get and keep a good credit score?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-and-keep-a-good-credit-score-en-318/)
- [CFPB: Where can I get my credit scores?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/where-can-i-get-my-credit-scores-en-316/)
- [CFPB: Will requesting my credit report hurt my credit score?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/will-requesting-my-credit-report-hurt-my-credit-score-en-1229/)
- [CFPB: Authorized users and liability](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-was-an-authorized-user-on-my-deceased-relatives-credit-card-account-am-i-liable-to-repay-the-debt-en-1485/)
- [FTC: Free credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports)
- [FTC: Disputing errors on your credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports)
- [FTC: Fixing your credit FAQs (credit repair scams)](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs)
- [FTC: Credit scores](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/credit-scores)
- [IRS: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number)
- [CFPB: What are some ways to start or rebuild a good credit history?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-some-ways-to-start-or-rebuild-a-good-credit-history-en-2155/)
- [CFPB: How to rebuild your credit](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/how-to-rebuild-your-credit/)
- [CFPB: Does late rent affect my credit score?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/does-late-rent-affect-my-credit-score-en-1815/)
- [SSA: Request a Social Security number for the first time](https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time)

Page: https://www.russiansinusa.com/en/immigration/building-credit-history-usa
Facts checked: 2026-10-28