Traditional credit card issuers may see people who have no credit history as a credit risk, because they have no history to prove otherwise. These individuals should look to non-traditional routes like secured credit cards and student credit cards in order to try and attain a good credit history for future major purchases.

Secured credit cards are those backed by money that you deposit into a savings account. Your credit limit is based on whatever you initially deposit. These are not debit cards, because the money is not taken out of the savings account as you spend it. It simply remains there, only to be used if you miss payments or default on money owed. Traditional credit cards are called unsecured cards, because there is no deposit in the account to afford a payment if you default on the debt. A good secured credit card may eventually become an unsecured card, usually after several months to a year or so of on-time payments and no overages. Some companies do not offer this option, so you must ask before applying for the card. Also make sure that the secured card company reports your account to the three major credit bureaus.