Volt61

I manage more or less OK without a US credit card and often I can use my UK credit card at all physical places in the US and a few online sites.

However, it would help if I could have a US credit card for some purchases online but I don't want a regular one as I have to provide my SSN, which I don't wish to do.

Is there a credit card that I can get with a low balance ($500 is plenty) or a card that I can pre-load from my bank account or Paypal, without having to provide my SSN?

Orangepants

Can't you use a debit card from your US account?

Volt61

I have read about not doing this because a debit card is connected to a bank account, and the bank account could become vulnerable.

Debit cards are not afforded the same protections as credit cards either.

g1ant

A good while ago when I owned a house here but did not have a green card or SSN I opened a bank account with Wells Fargo and they gave me a $1000 limit secured credit card.

Tied $1000 for a long time but it got me a card.

sir_eccles

What is your specific reason for not wanting to tell a bank your SSN?

Are you in the country legitimately?

Volt61

I don't wish to proliferate the knowledge of & the holding of my SSN on more and more unknown databases.
So far, I have been able to do this save for my employer, bank account and IRS.

And yes, I am here legitimately.

Volt61

Thanks. I'll look into that option.

tonrob

There are visa gift cards, but many carry purchase of usage fees of one sort or another. I can empathize with your reluctance, think you are really swimming against the tide with this SSN thing...

ian-mstm

Uh oh... too late. Your bank didn't need it.

Ian

sir_eccles

*shrug* you're probably on those databases already anyway whether you like it or not. I'd go to your bank and ask for a credit card if they already have your number, they will still probably want to run a credit check though.

Orangepants

Good point - my account has been compromised several times from unauthorised transactions through my debit card. I will use my credit cards from now on.

Volt61

Actually, I have just remembered that I didn't give it to them.
I applied for an account as soon as I arrived in the US, several weeks before my SSN card came through.
They didn't have any problem with this.

Rete

You are correct. DCs do not give you consumer protection. However, I have no fear of using them when I shop.

As for not getting a credit card with a ssn, I don't understand what you fear is. Are you that afraid of identity theft?

Volt61

Shopping in actual stores is fine.
Online purchases is the problem, which is far less secure.

The more places know of or record your SSN, the more chances of all kinds of crime, as well as errors

The US is ahead in several aspects of modern life, but is surprisingly behind in finance and the internet, among other things.

Michael

Your social security number is normally encrypted on the banks database and is not given to anyone other than the IRS, credit bureaus when checking credit, and only the last 4 digits are normally shown to the customer service representative when someone calls about your account (you give the last 4 digits to the customer service representative so that he can verify who you are).

So there is no difference between purchasing online or local as far as your social security number is concerned.

Credit cards have very good protection for the customers in that is unauthorized charges are made, customers normally don't have a problem getting the unauthorized charges removed so I'm not quite sure what your concern is.