信用报告与信用评分 ·32课
Build Credit from Zero
A month-by-month plan to earn a first credit score, with costs compared, for newcomers, young adults, ITIN holders and anyone without a credit history.
完成于此设备
本课程部分内容尚未翻译成你的语言，因此以英语形式呈现。
在本课中
你将学到什么
- Explain what credit invisible means and why it matters for renting, jobs and loans.
- Compare secured cards, credit-builder loans, authorized user accounts, lending circles and rent reporting.
- Describe how to apply for credit with an ITIN at lenders that accept one.
- Follow a month-by-month plan to earn a first credit score.
这与我们的课程有何关联： Our class covers how to build credit with tools like secured cards and alternative credit history. This lesson gives you a month-by-month plan, a cost comparison with real numbers, and steps for newcomers and ITIN holders.
需要知道的话
- 功劳无形 (Credit invisible)
- 在三大全国性信用局中没有任何信用记录。
- 薄銼刀 (Thin file)
- 信用报告账户数量极少。信用评分可能太低，无法产生。
- 担保信用卡 (Secured credit card)
- 一张需要现金存款的信用卡。存款通常会设定你的信用额度。
- 信用建设贷款 (Credit-builder loan)
- 一笔小额贷款，存放在一个锁定的储蓄账户里，你还款时会拿到钱。最后你拿到钱。
- 授权用户 (Authorized user)
- 被允许使用他人信用卡的人。授权用户通常不负责支付账单。
- ITIN
- 个人纳税人识别号码。国税局为无法获得社会保障号码的人提供的9位数税号。
No credit is not bad credit, but it can cost you
If none of the three nationwide credit bureaus has a file on you, you are credit invisible. If your file has only one or two new accounts, you may have a thin file, which can be too small to produce a score. A credit score is a number, usually from 300 to 850, that comes from your credit report. It helps lenders guess how likely you are to pay on time, and a higher score usually means lower costs to borrow. Many people are in this group: newcomers to the United States, young adults, and people who pay for everything in cash.
Having no score is not the same as having a bad score. But it can still cost you money:
- Loans and cards: Lenders may turn you down or charge you a higher interest rate.
- Housing: Landlords may check your credit before they rent to you.
- Jobs: Some employers check credit. In DC, most employers may not ask for or use your credit information when they make job decisions, with some exceptions. You can report a violation to the DC Office of Human Rights.
Some good habits you already have may not count. Rent, phone and utility payments usually do not appear on credit reports unless the company reports them. Debit cards and prepaid cards do not build credit, because you are not borrowing money. Payday loans do not help either, because the payments are not reported to the credit bureaus. Car dealers that lend their own money (sometimes called buy here, pay here) often report only late payments, not on-time payments.
五种入门方式，比较
你只需要其中一两个工具。选择一个符合你预算且能向信用局报告还款记录的工具。
| 工具 | 工作原理 | 注意 |
|---|---|---|
| 担保信用卡 | 你支付现金押金，比如300美元。押金通常会变成你的信用额度。你用信用卡付款。当你关闭账户且不再欠款，或者换成普通卡时，押金会退还。 | 按年或月费。问问它是否同时向三个信用局汇报，以及以后是否可以转到普通卡。 |
| 信用建设贷款 | 通常是信用合作社或非营利组织。贷款方会把一笔小额贷款，通常在300到1000美元之间，放进一个锁定的储蓄账户。你需要还款6到24个月。然后你拿到钱。 | 利息和费用。错过还款反而损害了你的信用。 |
| 授权用户 | 家人或朋友将你添加到他们的信用卡账户。你通常不负责支付账单。 | 询问信用卡公司是否会向信用局报告授权用户。持有人的逾期付款或高余额可能会损害你的信用。把它当作第一步，而不是唯一的步骤。 |
| 借贷圈 | 一群人每月向共享基金缴款。每个月，一名成员获得全部金额。一些非营利组织组织贷款圈，并将每一笔还款报告给信用局。 | 家庭tanda或susu只有在有人向至少一家信用局报告还款时才会建立信用。 |
| 租金报告 | 你的房东或你注册的服务会向至少一家信用局报告你的租金支付情况。 | 问问哪些信用局会获取数据，是否有费用，以及逾期付款是否也会被报告。不是所有信用评分都会计入房租支付。 |
一个贷款圈项目的例子是：非营利组织Mission Asset Fund与合作伙伴组织Lending Circles。它表示贷款无息，向三大信用局报告付款，持有ITIN的人可以利用它建立信用。
示例
费用：有担保卡还是信用建立贷款
塞缪尔在银泉的一家餐厅工作，部分工资是现金支付。他存了300美元。他比较了信用合作社的两个报价。这些是示例数字。务必以书面形式要求真实费用。
| 项目 | 担保卡 | 信用建设贷款 |
|---|---|---|
| 他投入的钱 | 300美元押金 | 636美元还款 |
| 他拿回的钱 | 300美元 | 600美元 |
| 年费 | 0美元 | 0美元 |
| 兴趣 | 0美元 | 36美元 |
| 年度成本 | 0美元 | 36美元 |
53美元×12个月 = 支付636美元;636美元 − 600美元返还 = 36美元成本
如果塞缪尔选择一张无年费的卡，并且每月全额还清，担保卡就不会有任何费用。当他关闭卡且不再欠款时，或换成普通卡时，押金会被退还。贷款费用为36美元，但运作方式类似储蓄计划：最终他有600美元。如果被举报给信用局，两者都能建立信用。如果塞缪尔没有300美元的押金，贷款可能是更容易的起步方式。
新成员与ITIN持有者
ITIN是国税局为无法获得社会安全号码的人提供的税号。你可以用ITIN建立美国信用历史。一些信用卡公司和其他贷款机构在信用申请中接受ITIN。并非所有银行都接受，且各贷款机构的规定不同。自2026年6月起，联邦监管机构要求银行更仔细地审查使用ITIN的客户。有些银行可能会要求更多文件或拒绝，所以申请前请先询问。带上这份问题清单：
- 你接受这张卡或贷款的ITIN吗？
- 你会向Equifax、Experian和TransUnion报告付款吗？
- 每个月和每年的费用是多少？
- 关于担保卡：最低的存款是多少？我什么时候可以转成普通卡？
- 我需要哪些文件，比如护照、领事身份证或地址证明？
每次申请时都要使用相同的拼写、相同的出生日期和当前地址。这有助于信用局将你所有账户集中保存在一个档案中。
来自其他国家的信用：你在其他国家的信用记录不会出现在美国的信用报告中。一些美国贷款机构与能够查看其他国家信用记录的公司合作。询问贷款机构是否能这样做。如果不行，可以先使用上述工具之一。
示例
Month-by-month plan: Aisha's first score
Aisha moved to Takoma Park and works at a hotel. She has an ITIN and no U.S. credit history. Here is her plan. You can follow the same steps.
- Before you start: Get your reports from each bureau to see if you already have a file. Without a Social Security number, ask by mail. Save money for a deposit if you need one.
- Month 1: Open one account that reports to all three bureaus. Aisha opens a secured card with a $300 limit. She sets up automatic payment from her checking account for the full balance on each statement.
- Months 1 to 6: Use the card for one small, regular bill, like a $30 phone bill. Keep the balance under 30% of the limit. On a $300 card, that means less than $90. Credit scores look at how much of your limit you are using, called credit utilization, and using only a small part of it helps your score. Pay the full balance by the due date every month.
- Month 6: Check your reports from all three bureaus. Make sure the new account is there and correct. A FICO score needs at least one account that has been open six months or more, and at least one account reported in the last six months. So around now, you may get your first score.
- Months 7 to 12: Keep using the card for small amounts and paying on time. Ask if you can move to a regular card and get your deposit back. Do not apply for many new accounts at once.
- After month 12: If you need it, add a second, different kind of credit, such as a credit-builder loan. Keep your oldest account open.
$300 limit × 30% = $90, so keep the balance under $90
Where can Aisha see her score? Many credit card companies give their customers a free credit score. HUD-approved housing counselors and nonprofit credit counselors can often give you a free credit report and score, too.
小心
应避免的陷阱
- 费用很高。 有些信用卡和信用建设产品会收取月费、设置费或年费。把一年的所有费用加总起来，和没有年费的担保卡做对比。
- 承诺快速得分。 建立信用需要几个月。没人能在几天内给你好分数。
- 新的信用身份。 有些卖家会提供一个新号码，代替你自己的社会保障号码或ITIN。使用非你的号码申请信用是违法的。你可能会面临罚款或监禁。
- 信用过多，过快。在短时间内开设多个新账户可能会降低你的信用评分，让贷款机构感到担忧。
骗子经常针对新移民。看看 针对新移民的骗局。
提示
你附近的免费帮助
在华盛顿特区，保险、证券与银行部通过 其金融赋权与教育办公室提供金融教育项目。在马里兰州，马 里兰州的CASH运动 提供免费的理财辅导。在该地区的任何地方，你都能 找到获得住房与城市发展部（HUD）批准的住房顾问 ，他们可以免费或低成本审核你的信用。需要先开设银行或信用合作社账户吗？查看 如何开设账户。
主要要点
- Having no credit history is not the same as having bad credit, but it can still cost you money.
- Start with one product that reports to all three credit bureaus. Use it for small amounts and pay on time every month.
- Some lenders accept an ITIN. Ask before you apply.
- A first FICO score usually takes about six months of reported history.
- Stay away from high fees, promises of a fast score, and anyone selling a new credit identity.
检查你的理解
回答问题后，选择“检查我的答案”。完成本课45权利。这是练习：没有时间限制，我们不会保留你的答案。
继续说
值得信赖的网站，您可以在这里了解更多信息。这些链接指向Dollar Scholars未运营的其他网站。
-
有哪些方法可以开始或重建良好的信用历史？ （另一个网站）
说明了担保卡、信用建立贷款和商店卡，以及哪些产品不有助于建立信用。
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致谢 （另一个网站）
关于如何建立、检查和改善信用的通俗语言页面，专为成人英语学习者撰写。
-
Crédito （另一个网站）
通俗西班牙语页面，教你如何建立、改善和检查你的信用。
本课程是通用理财教育，而非法律、税务或理财建议。规则和金额会变化，因此请通过官方来源核实重要数字。