topic Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN! in Understanding FICO® Scoring

Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

vwgrrc — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:05:59 GMT

OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

daybreakgonesXe — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:16:19 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!

OP, although I do not know definitively, I actually checked my US passport and the passport number is 9 digits - the same number of digits in a SSN!

It's possible that when using your passport number, it was coded into the reports as a "SSN". I'm not 100% sure, but when made to enter a SSN into the credit reports, I doubt it's cross-checked with the USSSA to ensure this is actually a US citizen and indeed linked to the correct person it was issued to at birth or when getting their first job.

Can anyone confirm/deny this theory?

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

indiolatino61 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:22:39 GMT

@daybreakgonesXe wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!
OP, although I do not know definitively, I actually checked my US passport and the passport number is 9 digits - the same number of digits in a SSN!

It's possible that when using your passport number, it was coded into the reports as a "SSN". I'm not 100% sure, but when made to enter a SSN into the credit reports, I doubt it's cross-checked with the USSSA to ensure this is actually a US citizen and indeed linked to the correct person it was issued to at birth or when getting their first job.

Can anyone confirm/deny this theory?

This is an excellent theory...I hope someone can verify it for you.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

-Wade- — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:22:45 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!

if you have credits cards that's why you have a credit s score! How you get cards with only a passport I have no idea how that works.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

vwgrrc — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:39:06 GMT

@daybreakgonesXe wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!
OP, although I do not know definitively, I actually checked my US passport and the passport number is 9 digits - the same number of digits in a SSN!

It's possible that when using your passport number, it was coded into the reports as a "SSN". I'm not 100% sure, but when made to enter a SSN into the credit reports, I doubt it's cross-checked with the USSSA to ensure this is actually a US citizen and indeed linked to the correct person it was issued to at birth or when getting their first job.

Can anyone confirm/deny this theory?

Good thought. But I certainly do not hold an US passport as an international student.

Interesting, my passport number is 1 English letter + 8 digits! I can't imagine how did they type in in the SSN space.

When i activate my card today, the auto system asked my to key in "9 digits SSN" on my phone. Then I just typed the 8 digits of my passport #... it was activated! Even more confused

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

wHiTeSoL — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:51:27 GMT

A SSN or ITIN is only ONE piece of information used to create your credit file and hence your fico score. Did you know also that your SSN or ITIN is not required to run your credit? It can be done with only name and address if needed.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

vwgrrc — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:56:52 GMT

@Wade64 wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!
if you have credits cards that's why you have a credit s score! How you get cards with only a passport I have no idea how that works.

I know it sounds incredible but it's ture! Actually, after a some calls, I was really amazed to find out how many banks and companies accept applicants without ssn...

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

-Wade- — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 06:00:53 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
@Wade64 wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!
if you have credits cards that's why you have a credit s score! How you get cards with only a passport I have no idea how that works.
I know it sounds incredible but it's ture! Actually, after a some calls, I was really amazed to find out how many banks and companies accept applicants without ssn...

Learn something new everyday! All I know is everything I do they ask for my SS#.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

pizzadude — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 06:18:03 GMT

Moved to understanding FICO® scoring.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

mnavas — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 07:08:22 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!

You don't need a SSN or ITIN to have Credit Files with the CRAs, the same way you don't need a SNN or ITIN to have a credit score what you really need is CREDIT HISTORY. If you have credit cards that's why you have CRs and if you have 6+ months of credit history then that's why you have a FICO score.

SSNs or ITINs are just a way to ID a person and they by no means determine the way someone builds credit. Federal Laws only require banks to ID the people they're doing business with by asking some pieces of info: Full name, Address, Date of Birh and SSN but when someone can't provide a SSN, Financial Institutions can legally ID a person with a passport or other foreign government issued ID. It's up to Banks to set the required documents to ID someone and open an account. They just need to comply with the USA Patriot Act and verify the documents provided by the costumer.

*One challenging part about not having SSN is that no CRA will give you a copy of your report online. You can request a copy of your Experian report through the mail. In most cases they are going to ask for a copy of your ID (like a passport)

The other two CRAs (Equifax and Transunion) will deny your request (even in the mail) and will request a copy of your SSN before granting you a copy of your credit report (s)

Where does the score come from?

The info comes from the CRAs and it's used a score formula to generate a score for you

Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom?

Yes it does. Even if you're account is closed it'll remain in your reports for the next sever years

How does Chase report that?

Chase like other financial institutions have something like a membership with the CRAs and they report the way you handle your credit account (s) with them and other info like your address, date of bitth etc.

What kind of information was used to pull the score?

The info will depend on the score model used. In the case of FICO: Payment history, Overall Utilization, Recent inquiries, AAoA, mix of accounts are the main components of the formula

Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers?

Yes it will. They can run your credit with very few pieces of info: Name and Address

What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Once a SSN is issued, you need to contact your current creditors and the CRAs to update your credit files. In the case of an ITIN, CRAs won't accept that number in your credit reports as an identification because their system is setup to accept SSNs only

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

vwgrrc — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 16:53:09 GMT

@mnavas wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
OK I guess I'm bringing up some interesting topic to talk about here (I hope so...)

I got my Chase Freedom 6 months ago and Amex BCE earlier this week. I do NOT have a SSN or ITIN because I'm studying as a full-time international student in the US. Both issuers took my passport number in place of SSN when I applied. However, the Amex came in mail today with report says "Your FICO score: 723", "Source: Experian", "Date: 01 20 2014"...... I study on finance for years and I know quite a bit about those financial gadgets, but I never care about credit history/score stuff because I thought my CC issuers have no where to report without a SSN. Now, I was proven wrong and i'm very curious on this!

Many questions here: Where does the score come from? Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom? How does Chase report that? What kind of information was used to pull the score? Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers? What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Many thanks to you guys here. I've already learned a lot that I knew I'll never do in academic way!
You don't need a SSN or ITIN to have Credit Files with the CRAs, the same way you don't need a SNN or ITIN to have a credit score what you really need is CREDIT HISTORY. If you have credit cards that's why you have CRs and if you have 6+ months of credit history then that's why you have a FICO score.

SSNs or ITINs are just a way to ID a person and they by no means determine the way someone builds credit. Federal Laws only require banks to ID the people they're doing business with by asking some pieces of info: Full name, Address, Date of Birh and SSN but when someone can't provide a SSN, Financial Institutions can legally ID a person with a passport or other foreign government issued ID. It's up to Banks to set the required documents to ID someone and open an account. They just need to comply with the USA Patriot Act and verify the documents provided by the costumer.

*One challenging part about not having SSN is that no CRA will give you a copy of your report online. You can request a copy of your Experian report through the mail. In most cases they are going to ask for a copy of your ID (like a passport)
The other two CRAs (Equifax and Transunion) will deny your request (even in the mail) and will request a copy of your SSN before granting you a copy of your credit report (s)

Where does the score come from?

The info comes from the CRAs and it's used a score formula to generate a score for you

Does it represent my previous history on Chase Freedom?

Yes it does. Even if you're account is closed it'll remain in your reports for the next sever years

How does Chase report that?

Chase like other financial institutions have something like a membership with the CRAs and they report the way you handle your credit account (s) with them and other info like your address, date of bitth etc.

What kind of information was used to pull the score?

The info will depend on the score model used. In the case of FICO: Payment history, Overall Utilization, Recent inquiries, AAoA, mix of accounts are the main components of the formula

Will the score be accessible if I apply new CCs from other issuers?

Yes it will. They can run your credit with very few pieces of info: Name and Address

What if I use SSN or ITIN to apply in the future, will my credit history/score be "newborn" at that time? Or they can still "dateback" to the period when I was using CCs without SSN on file?

Once a SSN is issued, you need to contact your current creditors and the CRAs to update your credit files. In the case of an ITIN, CRAs won't accept that number in your credit reports as an identification because their system is setup to accept SSNs only

Thank you sooo much. Very knowledgeable reply!

My real concern is this: I'll get my ITIN very soon, should i go to apply new cards with the new ITIN immediately? (Can they still get my score from the usage of Freedom and Amex in this case?) Or is it better to update my new ITIN with Chase and Amex before applying with ITIN?

Regarding to the last one, you said the CRAs won't accept ITIN in their system. Then how do they accept my Passport#? Or they didn't record it at all.

Thanks again!

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

mnavas — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:52:49 GMT

You should update your records with AMEX and Chase once you receive your ITIN so the next time you apply for a new card of them, you can do it online instead of calling and enter your ITIN in the SSN field on the online App. For AMEX they will ask you to mail the original letter you receive from IRS and for Chase i'd suggest you visit a branch to do this.

keep in mind that even if you update your records with your current creditors, the CRAs won't accept an ITIN and therefore if you apply for a CITI card or a Discover card they might request to mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN because they can't see that number on your reports

Regarding to the last one, you said the CRAs won't accept ITIN in their system. Then how do they accept my Passport#? Or they didn't record it at all.

No, they won't. Chase and AMEX keep your ID (passport) on their internal records but CRAs don't. SSNs are accepted only.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

vwgrrc — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 06:34:40 GMT

@mnavas wrote:

My real concern is this: I'll get my ITIN very soon, should i go to apply new cards with the new ITIN immediately? (Can they still get my score from the usage of Freedom and Amex in this case?) Or is it better to update my new ITIN with Chase and Amex before applying with ITIN?

You should update your records with AMEX and Chase once you receive your ITIN so the next time you apply for a new card of them, you can do it online instead of calling and enter your ITIN in the SSN field on the online App. For AMEX they will ask you to mail the original letter you receive from IRS and for Chase i'd suggest you visit a branch to do this.
keep in mind that even if you update your records with your current creditors, the CRAs won't accept an ITIN and therefore if you apply for a CITI card or a Discover card they might request to mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN because they can't see that number on your reports

Regarding to the last one, you said the CRAs won't accept ITIN in their system. Then how do they accept my Passport#? Or they didn't record it at all.

No, they won't. Chase and AMEX keep your ID (passport) on their internal records but CRAs don't. SSNs are accepted only.

Again, thank you so much!

I plan to apply a Citi ThankYou and a Cap1 SliverOne after getting my ITIN (both accept ITIN i'm sure). I've heard people use ITIN in place of SSN for online app. with good results. I mean, in my case, is there any difference between applying online (ITIN in place of SSN) and by phone and in branch office? I guess the phone call and branch office would lead my app, to the same place? I hope I could get reviewed manually.

BTW, i have never banking with Citi or Cap1 and i don't plan to open saving or checking accts to build up relationship with them in order to get their cards. This is what i was "suggested" to do at a local BoA branch in person.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

mnavas — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 08:26:30 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
@mnavas wrote:

My real concern is this: I'll get my ITIN very soon, should i go to apply new cards with the new ITIN immediately? (Can they still get my score from the usage of Freedom and Amex in this case?) Or is it better to update my new ITIN with Chase and Amex before applying with ITIN?

You should update your records with AMEX and Chase once you receive your ITIN so the next time you apply for a new card of them, you can do it online instead of calling and enter your ITIN in the SSN field on the online App. For AMEX they will ask you to mail the original letter you receive from IRS and for Chase i'd suggest you visit a branch to do this.
keep in mind that even if you update your records with your current creditors, the CRAs won't accept an ITIN and therefore if you apply for a CITI card or a Discover card they might request to mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN because they can't see that number on your reports

Regarding to the last one, you said the CRAs won't accept ITIN in their system. Then how do they accept my Passport#? Or they didn't record it at all.

No, they won't. Chase and AMEX keep your ID (passport) on their internal records but CRAs don't. SSNs are accepted only.

Again, thank you so much!

I plan to apply a Citi ThankYou and a Cap1 SliverOne after getting my ITIN (both accept ITIN i'm sure). I've heard people use ITIN in place of SSN for online app. with good results. I mean, in my case, is there any difference between applying online (ITIN in place of SSN) and by phone and in branch office? I guess the phone call and branch office would lead my app, to the same place? I hope I could get reviewed manually.

BTW, i have never banking with Citi or Cap1 and i don't plan to open saving or checking accts to build up relationship with them in order to get their cards. This is what i was "suggested" to do at a local BoA branch in person.

Yes, they both accept ITINs, same Discover, and Bank of America. The best way for you to apply is in the branch (in persom) so the banker can verify and make copies of your ITIN and ID but if no branch is close to you then it might depend on the creditor:

- Citibank: Apply on the phone or online (recommended) you're going to get a pending message with a phone number and an application ID you can call and the CSR will review the app and give you a desicion (f possible). They might also request you to fax, mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN and a copy of an utility bill or bank statement to verify your home address

-Capital one: Apply on the phone or online. if you apply online you're also going to get a pending message, the might not provide you a phone number but you can look for a Cap 1 backdoor number on this forum and speak with a credit analyst. They might request a copy of your ITIN

-Bank of America: Apply in the branch (highly recommended). They also accept apps on the phone but if you don't bank or have a credit account with them (customer profile) they will decline your app and ask you to show up in a brach to re-consider the app submitted. They don't accept you to mail or fax your ITIN And they also don't accept apps online.

-Discover: Apply on the phone (recommended) or online. They might request a copy of your ITIN too

-Macys and Bloomingdales: Apply in any store in person (only) you can apply for this store account with your passport and a debit card to verify your address

*Keep in mind that some CSRs are clueless about how to deal with an app using an ITIN, you need to find the right person who understand or have knowledge of the process.

You don't really need a bank relationship with any creditor provided above. You only need to meet their credit requirements (credit worthiness) and income to get approved for their cards.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

Repo-ed — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:18:32 GMT

See, I learn something new every day around here.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

Kratos-TM — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:11:50 GMT

Wow, I'm blown by this thread. Learn something new all the time.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

vwgrrc — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:15:20 GMT

@mnavas wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
@mnavas wrote:

My real concern is this: I'll get my ITIN very soon, should i go to apply new cards with the new ITIN immediately? (Can they still get my score from the usage of Freedom and Amex in this case?) Or is it better to update my new ITIN with Chase and Amex before applying with ITIN?

You should update your records with AMEX and Chase once you receive your ITIN so the next time you apply for a new card of them, you can do it online instead of calling and enter your ITIN in the SSN field on the online App. For AMEX they will ask you to mail the original letter you receive from IRS and for Chase i'd suggest you visit a branch to do this.
keep in mind that even if you update your records with your current creditors, the CRAs won't accept an ITIN and therefore if you apply for a CITI card or a Discover card they might request to mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN because they can't see that number on your reports

Regarding to the last one, you said the CRAs won't accept ITIN in their system. Then how do they accept my Passport#? Or they didn't record it at all.

No, they won't. Chase and AMEX keep your ID (passport) on their internal records but CRAs don't. SSNs are accepted only.

Again, thank you so much!

I plan to apply a Citi ThankYou and a Cap1 SliverOne after getting my ITIN (both accept ITIN i'm sure). I've heard people use ITIN in place of SSN for online app. with good results. I mean, in my case, is there any difference between applying online (ITIN in place of SSN) and by phone and in branch office? I guess the phone call and branch office would lead my app, to the same place? I hope I could get reviewed manually.

BTW, i have never banking with Citi or Cap1 and i don't plan to open saving or checking accts to build up relationship with them in order to get their cards. This is what i was "suggested" to do at a local BoA branch in person.

Yes, they both accept ITINs, same Discover, and Bank of America. The best way for you to apply is in the branch (in persom) so the banker can verify and make copies of your ITIN and ID but if no branch is close to you then it might depend on the creditor:

- Citibank: Apply on the phone or online (recommended) you're going to get a pending message with a phone number and an application ID you can call and the CSR will review the app and give you a desicion (f possible). They might also request you to fax, mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN and a copy of an utility bill or bank statement to verify your home address
-Capital one: Apply on the phone or online. if you apply online you're also going to get a pending message, the might not provide you a phone number but you can look for a Cap 1 backdoor number on this forum and speak with a credit analyst. They might request a copy of your ITIN
-Bank of America: Apply in the branch (highly recommended). They also accept apps on the phone but if you don't bank or have a credit account with them (customer profile) they will decline your app and ask you to show up in a brach to re-consider the app submitted. They don't accept you to mail or fax your ITIN And they also don't accept apps online.
-Discover: Apply on the phone (recommended) or online. They might request a copy of your ITIN too
-Macys and Bloomingdales: Apply in any store in person (only) you can apply for this store account with your passport and a debit card to verify your address

*Keep in mind that some CSRs are clueless about how to deal with an app using an ITIN, you need to find the right person who understand or have knowledge of the process.

You don't really need a bank relationship with any creditor provided above. You only need to meet their credit requirements (credit worthiness) and income to get approved for their cards.

Ok~ In return, let me contribute what I found out at Citi today.

I was in a local branch today and introduced to a banker who knows how to apply a card in my situation. The good news is it turns out~ even without a ITIN, i'm still able to get a card. The bad news is it has to be the Citi Forward (a student card). Then I asked what if I have an ITIN? The banker said in that case I need to provide a proof of employment to be qualified for other cards (other than Forward).

I personally doubt if what she told me was correct because whenever I was employed, I should have a SSN.

Anyway, it's nice to find out there is a card avaible for me. But the Forward doesn't look so attractive: $25 after $500 spending and 1% on everything. I'll probably go with CAP1 when I have my ITIN here.

Re: Why do I have FICO score?? I have no SSN or ITIN!

mnavas — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:59:45 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
@mnavas wrote:
@vwgrrc wrote:
@mnavas wrote:

My real concern is this: I'll get my ITIN very soon, should i go to apply new cards with the new ITIN immediately? (Can they still get my score from the usage of Freedom and Amex in this case?) Or is it better to update my new ITIN with Chase and Amex before applying with ITIN?

You should update your records with AMEX and Chase once you receive your ITIN so the next time you apply for a new card of them, you can do it online instead of calling and enter your ITIN in the SSN field on the online App. For AMEX they will ask you to mail the original letter you receive from IRS and for Chase i'd suggest you visit a branch to do this.
keep in mind that even if you update your records with your current creditors, the CRAs won't accept an ITIN and therefore if you apply for a CITI card or a Discover card they might request to mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN because they can't see that number on your reports

Regarding to the last one, you said the CRAs won't accept ITIN in their system. Then how do they accept my Passport#? Or they didn't record it at all.

No, they won't. Chase and AMEX keep your ID (passport) on their internal records but CRAs don't. SSNs are accepted only.

Again, thank you so much!

I plan to apply a Citi ThankYou and a Cap1 SliverOne after getting my ITIN (both accept ITIN i'm sure). I've heard people use ITIN in place of SSN for online app. with good results. I mean, in my case, is there any difference between applying online (ITIN in place of SSN) and by phone and in branch office? I guess the phone call and branch office would lead my app, to the same place? I hope I could get reviewed manually.

BTW, i have never banking with Citi or Cap1 and i don't plan to open saving or checking accts to build up relationship with them in order to get their cards. This is what i was "suggested" to do at a local BoA branch in person.

Yes, they both accept ITINs, same Discover, and Bank of America. The best way for you to apply is in the branch (in persom) so the banker can verify and make copies of your ITIN and ID but if no branch is close to you then it might depend on the creditor:

- Citibank: Apply on the phone or online (recommended) you're going to get a pending message with a phone number and an application ID you can call and the CSR will review the app and give you a desicion (f possible). They might also request you to fax, mail or e-mail a copy of your ITIN and a copy of an utility bill or bank statement to verify your home address
-Capital one: Apply on the phone or online. if you apply online you're also going to get a pending message, the might not provide you a phone number but you can look for a Cap 1 backdoor number on this forum and speak with a credit analyst. They might request a copy of your ITIN
-Bank of America: Apply in the branch (highly recommended). They also accept apps on the phone but if you don't bank or have a credit account with them (customer profile) they will decline your app and ask you to show up in a brach to re-consider the app submitted. They don't accept you to mail or fax your ITIN And they also don't accept apps online.
-Discover: Apply on the phone (recommended) or online. They might request a copy of your ITIN too
-Macys and Bloomingdales: Apply in any store in person (only) you can apply for this store account with your passport and a debit card to verify your address

*Keep in mind that some CSRs are clueless about how to deal with an app using an ITIN, you need to find the right person who understand or have knowledge of the process.

You don't really need a bank relationship with any creditor provided above. You only need to meet their credit requirements (credit worthiness) and income to get approved for their cards.

Ok~ In return, let me contribute what I found out at Citi today.

I was in a local branch today and introduced to a banker who knows how to apply a card in my situation. The good news is it turns out~ even without a ITIN, i'm still able to get a card. The bad news is it has to be the Citi Forward (a student card). Then I asked what if I have an ITIN? The banker said in that case I need to provide a proof of employment to be qualified for other cards (other than Forward).

I personally doubt if what she told me was correct because whenever I was employed, I should have a SSN.

Anyway, it's nice to find out there is a card avaible for me. But the Forward doesn't look so attractive: $25 after $500 spending and 1% on everything. I'll probably go with CAP1 when I have my ITIN here.

I believe all credit applications will ask you for an annual income even the student ones and i think what the banker meant was you need to have some sort of income to qualify for their cards

Do you file taxes at all? i guess if you're getting an ITIN it's because you're planning to file taxes this year. You can actually earn income by selling things online, having investmens etc and that's the one you can state when you fill out a credit application,

Like i said They're always going to ask for your annual income because they need to make sure you have money to pay back the money you're borrowing. The proof of your income is your tax returns (form 1040) and that's the one you can provide to creditors in case they request it.