To get an unsecured credit card bad credit may stop you right in your tracks. This is not to say that there aren’t exceptions because there are companies that will sometimes issue a credit card to someone with a poor credit history, but this is wholly the exception and not the rule. Normally unsecured credit cards for bad credit do not exist and it is impossible to obtain one. However, there are some options that you have if you don’t want to go with a secured credit card and want to try to qualify for unsecured credit cards bad credit and all.

First of all, there are programs out there that will offer an unsecured card with bad credit for completing the program. For instance, you may have to complete courses of some kind on how credit cards work, or work with a company to pay off your debt completely and then at the end be issued one of their unsecured credit cards for bad credit. These programs are great for people who have no idea how credit works and need to be educated or need to get out of debt. However, this isn’t the only way to obtain unsecured credit cards with bad credit.

A similar program to the one mentioned is the secured credit card. If you get a secured credit card and deposit an amount of money equal to the line of credit  that you will have on the card and then you make your payments on time the company will generally refund the money that you deposited at the end of a year or so. This can be a great way to get unsecured cards with bad credit albeit not necessarily the quickest way. However, many people find a solution to their bad credit in this way because as they make the secured credit card payment they build a credit history at the same time.

Another solution to getting a unsecured card even if you have bad credit is to simply fix your credit. The first step is obtaining a copy of your credit report and making sure that all the information is accurate and that all the debts listed are actually your debts. If not, dispute them with the credit bureaus that they are listed with, as by law they are required to remove them if the companies that listed them cannot verify the information. Many times, the companies will not be able to verify the information within the time period and the debt will be removed from your credit report.

Once you have checked the accuracy of everything and finished the dispute process then you can begin paying off the debt that is listed there. Start with anything that is one year or less since the date of the most recent activity and pay off the smaller debt first. Then move onto other debts. If you want to resume or make payments on a debt that is large, then ask the company to report the good payments that you are making. Anytime that you make a good payment, your credit score will go up and in no time at all you will be able to apply for and get approved for an unsecured credit card.

If you have bad credit and have been looking for ways to get a credit card, you’ve probably faced rejection time and time again. These days, credit card companies are exceptionally picky about extending lines of credit to new customers. Most likely, you’ve been advised to get a secured credit card to help build up your credit score and set you on the path to a better rating. Let’s face it, though: secured credit cards are essentially debit cards and don’t usually give you access to the extra funds that you probably need. There are ways to get a bad credit unsecured credit card, though; you just need to know how to go about it.

Head Over To Your Bank

The number one way to get approved for an unsecured credit card when you have bad credit is by applying for one with your very own bank. It especially helps if you’ve been a customer of theirs for a long time, and if you have both checking and savings accounts with them. Naturally, they will still have to run a credit check on you and may start you off at a very low initial limit – but over time, that limit will start to rise as you demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

Why Your Bank Can Help

Unlike companies that strictly issue credit cards, your bank has a history with you. They have complete and total access to your financial records. If you get your paycheck automatically deposited into your account, they even have demonstrable proof of your income and your ability to pay a monthly credit card balance. The majority of people looking for bad credit unsecured credit cards have the most success by simply inquiring at their own bank. If you have a bank account, go there in person and apply for a card.

Unsecured Cards – Other Options

If you don’t have a bank account – or if your banking history is not very good – you will most likely have to put up with a secured credit card before getting an unsecured one. It’s definitely a hassle, but by paying off your secured credit card balance every month your credit rating will start to improve. When it hits a certain level, you’ll start receiving offers for unsecured credit cards. This strategy involves a bit more time than the bank route, but it will work if you are persistent and willing to stick to the rules.