Can you get a credit report without a social security number?

Keeping up with what’s available on your credit report has many advantages. Everyone should check their credit reports on a regular basis. Your credit reports come in handy when you’re looking for a job, want to rent or buy a home, get a new credit card or get any type of loan. Credit reports are also useful when you want to go to college, apply for a loan, and other things that affect you on a regular basis. In addition, knowing your credit history can help you detect identity theft – which is a very common occurrence and extremely harmful to your credit as an individual.

While knowledge of your credit rating is important, not many people keep up with theirs as they should. This can be very risky because in the end and cause negative consequences. And while some don’t know their credit scores out of ignorance, others are sometimes limited from accessing credit reports. One such group is people without a social security numbers.

Role of social security numbers in credit reports

Traditionally, the social security number is the identity number used to identify US citizens. This number is not just asked for by the country’s credit bureaus before they provide one’s personal credit reports. Others like landlords, banks, and colleges also ask for social security numbers when they want to carry out their specific functions. Without the social security number therefore, it’s not possible for one to access a credit reports in the United States. It’s also important for you to note that most banks, mainstream lenders and credit card companies also require the social security number before one can access their services. What this means is that, one cannot access registered credit lines without a social security number. In fact, without a SSN, you have no real credit report on record – technically speaking.

Since getting a credit report is impossible for people without social security numbers, what are your options if you ever find yourself in this awkward situation?

Build some credit history

Lack of a social security number should not limit your ability to build some credit history for yourself. Researchers have shown that people without social security numbers can manage to create some credit history for themselves if they choose to do so. While all credit bureaus have the social security number as a requirement, TransUnion is one of the three credit bureaus that is known to help people without social security numbers have some retrievable credit history.

In practice, building your credit means is simply having traceable bills and the subsequent payment of such bills. The most effective platform you can use to do this is through the secured credit card. While this type of credit card requires an upfront deposit before you’re allowed to use it, no social security number is needed and banks report this history to the credit bureaus using your name, address and date of birth. If you consistently keep up with the payments on this line, you can develop some credit history, which can then be used to serve you fairly in matters to do with credit, without a social security number.

Protect your credit

While working to establish some credit history is essential for your success, you must protect your credit history and credit score. One way to do this is keeping up with your debt commitments. Always pay your bills when they’re due and avoid defaulting on debts. In addition, get your credit report on regular basis to protect your credit from excesses whether perpetrated by you or identity thieves. Checking your credit report regularly will therefore, not only help protect your credit; but also keep tabs on your identity which is at risk from modern fraudsters and criminals. This will also ensure the accuracy of those reports.

As you can see, while the social security number is critical for not only having and checking your credit reports (technically if you don’t have a SSN, you cannot have a U.S. credit report). Lack of it should not stop you from building some credit history for yourself regardless of the circumstances in which you find yourself. The above tips should help you navigate the credit reporting system, with or without a social security number.

Joy Mali is an active finance blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance management tips to encourage people to manage their personal finances. More specifically, she advocates that people should check credit reports and scores regularly.