Does a check card start a credit history?

[cchen]

I'm 17, and I have a check card with my checking account. Do I have a credit history now? Or do I need a "real" credit card?

 

[AAjax]

you need a real one

 

[Viper GTS]

Check cards do not establish credit history.

True credit cards, even secured ones, will establish credit, as will a car loan or a cell phone.

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

You have a history but its essentially empty and blank. To get good things on it you need to engage in services that report to the credit bureaus such as credit card companies or car loan places. You probably don't really need much of a credit history now anyway and getting a credit card at your age is tough or impossible. I'd wait till you're 18 then go for a secured credit card to build up some credit from there.

 

[kikokam]

get a real one
check card is like an atm card, with more usage thats all

 

[neovan]

well...by you opening a checking account, it alreadys gives you a credit history. But having a real credit card would be better.

 

[cchen]

Thanks. I recently got a credit card from capital one and was just wondering about my check card. I have a cell phone but it's under my mom's name so i could get the govt plan. I'm guessing that would go under her credit correct?

 

[Windogg]

Apply for a student card. Citibank has a really good one. No one I know has been turned down for one.

The interest is high and the limit is low bout that is where I started. Just pay off every penny at the end of the month or the interest will kill you. Remember that clean credit will eventually get you a good mortgage.

Windogg

 

[StageLeft]

cchen yeah thats hers. You have a credit card with capital one - just keep it paid and you're well on your way.

by you opening a checking account, it alreadys gives you a credit history

I'm not so sure - I opened a checking account almost two months ago and I have a totally blank credit history; so blank that credit checks made on my SSN (its a new SSN about 2 months old) come up with no hit, as if its not even a real SSN.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

After seeing my credit report:
Only sources of debt are listed. Nowhere does it show my bank account info.

Car loans and student loans are excellent sources of credit (though they cost alot and take forever to pay off)