Each year, many people are denied credit because they have no credit history. If you've never used credit and are considering doing so:
Consider opening a checking or savings account in your name;
Acquire a credit card in your name;
Establish a pre-arranged credit line with your bank.
If you are married:
Tell creditors or stores to report shared accounts in your name as well as your spouse's name because you may have difficulty establishing credit in your name if you have kept all your credit cards in your married name (e.g. Mrs. John Smith).
Make sure credit bureaus have a file on you, and that shared accounts listed in your spouse's file are listed in your file.
Later if you are no longer married due to the death of your spouse or divorce, you will still be able to apply for credit on the basis of accounts you shared with your spouse.
Other Laws
If you applied for and were denied credit, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires creditors to provide you written notice and to specify the reasons for your denial.
For example, the creditor must tell you whether the denial was because:
This law requires creditors to consider, upon request, additional information you might supply about your credit history.
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