The Capital One Secured Credit Card is a great option for those with fair credit. It requires a security deposit, which becomes your credit limit.
You can make a deposit as low as $49 to $99, depending on your creditworthiness. This deposit also becomes your credit limit, so if you deposit $99, your credit limit will be $99.
Having a credit limit of $99 may not be ideal, but it's a good starting point for rebuilding credit.
About the Card
A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a security deposit to open the account. The cardholder typically makes a one-time refundable security deposit that acts as collateral for the credit card issuer.
The security deposit can be used to establish or rebuild credit, as it's reported to the credit bureaus just like an unsecured credit card. This can be a great option if you're trying to build credit.
A secured credit card may also be an option if you're unable to qualify for an unsecured credit card. This is often the case for people with poor or no credit history.
Benefits and Features
The Capital One Secured credit card offers a range of benefits and features that make it a great option for those looking to build credit or establish a credit history.
You can add an authorized user to your account and track their spending, making it easy to manage your finances together.
The card also comes with security features like virtual card numbers, which allow you to make online purchases without exposing your actual card number.
If your card is lost or stolen, you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges, and you can even lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app to prevent further activity.
CreditWise, a free service from Capital One, lets you monitor your credit and see how it improves over time, without affecting your score.
The Capital One Mobile app also offers features like Eno, an intelligent assistant that keeps an eye on your accounts and sends alerts when something's up.
You can even get an emergency replacement card if your credit card is lost or stolen, and receive help finding the nearest ATM when traveling.
Here are some of the key benefits and features of the Capital One Secured credit card:
- Account management: Get account alerts, add an authorized user, and track spending.
- Security: Virtual card numbers, Card Lock, and $0 fraud liability claims.
- Credit monitoring: CreditWise, a free service that won't hurt your score.
- Travel assistance: 24-hour travel assistance services, auto rental collision damage waivers, and travel accident insurance.
- Convenience: Autopay, mobile app, and emergency replacement card.
How It Works
A Capital One Secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit for collateral, which can be as low as $49 or as high as $200.
You can pay the security deposit all at once or with installments over 35 days, making it easier to get started.
The security deposit amount will determine your initial credit limit, with some cards offering a credit limit that's higher than the deposit amount.
For example, an initial deposit of $49, $99, or $200 can open an account with a credit line of $200.
You can raise your credit limit by depositing more than the minimum, as seen with the Capital One Platinum Secured card.
Your card status will be regularly reported to the three major credit bureaus, helping you build good credit standing.
Make timely payments in full each month and on time to earn good credit standing, which can lead to a credit limit increase without making additional deposits after five months.
To get your security deposit back, you must close the account and pay your balance in full, or you could earn it back if your card issuer upgrades you to an unsecured card.
Rates and Fees
The Capital One Secured credit card has a variable APR interest rate that can increase based on market conditions. This means your rate might go up, but only if the market changes.
You can avoid paying interest by paying your balance in full each month. This is a great way to save money and keep your credit card debt low.
The card has a few fees you should be aware of. Here's a breakdown of the key fees:
It's worth noting that taking out a cash advance with this card is not advised due to the high fees.
Application and Approval
You can apply for a Capital One Secured credit card online or in a physical branch location. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number and U.S. mailing address, and meet other financial requirements.
The application process involves providing personal and financial information, including your total annual income, monthly rent, and employment status. You must also have enough funds on hand to pay the required security deposit.
Here are the key steps to complete the application:
- Complete the application online or in a branch location.
- Pay the required security deposit, which can be made online or at a branch location.
- Wait for your new card to arrive via mail, which usually takes 2-3 weeks.
If you're applying for the Platinum Secured Credit Card, you'll need to meet certain conditions for your income and existing debt to qualify. If you don't meet these conditions, your application may be declined.
How to Apply
To apply for a Capital One Secured credit card, you can choose between applying online or in a physical branch location. This flexibility is great for those who prefer to manage their finances digitally or need help from a live representative.
First, you'll need to complete the application, which requires providing personal and financial information, such as your total annual income, monthly rent, and employment status. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and a U.S. mailing address.
The application process is relatively straightforward, and you can even get approved despite having bad credit if you have enough funds to pay the required security deposit. This deposit amount will depend on your personal credit history.
To pay the security deposit, you can choose to pay online or at a physical branch location. The minimum deposit amount is $20, and it must be paid in whole dollar increments. You can even make partial payments as long as you pay the minimum required deposit amount within 35 days of approval.
Here are the steps to pay the security deposit:
- Paying online: You can pay the security deposit online, and your personal credit history will determine the minimum deposit amount.
- Paying at a branch location: You can also pay the security deposit at a physical branch location, where a representative can guide you through the process.
- Partial payments: You can make partial payments as long as you pay the minimum required deposit amount within 35 days of approval.
After you've paid the security deposit, your new Capital One Secured card will be sent to you via mail. This usually takes 2-3 weeks, but you can opt for expedited shipping for an additional fee.
Application Decline Risk
Your application for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card can be declined if you don't meet certain conditions for your income and existing debt. If you don't meet these conditions, your application may be declined.
Capital One Secured cards don't require a credit score to apply, but meeting income and debt requirements is still crucial.
Meeting these conditions is essential to qualify for a Platinum Secured Credit Card.
Payment Application
We generally apply payments up to your minimum payment first to the balance with the lowest APR, including 0% APR, and then to balances with higher APRs.
If you pay more than the minimum, we'll apply it to the balance with the highest APR first, and then to balances with lower APRs.
This means that if you have multiple balances with different APRs, paying more than the minimum will help pay off the balance with the highest APR the fastest.
The breakdown of how payments are applied is as follows:
- Up to the minimum payment: lowest APR balance first
- Any amount above the minimum: highest APR balance first, then lower APR balances
Security Deposit
A security deposit is required to open a Capital One Secured Credit Card account, and it's used to establish your credit limit. This deposit can be as little as $49, $99, or $200.
You can make your security deposit online or over the phone, and it must be funded through an electronic funds transfer from a bank account. The deposit must be at least $20 and in whole dollar increments.
You have 35 days from approval to make your full required deposit, and you can make partial payments, but you must pay the full amount within that timeframe.
$0 Fraud Liability
Having a security deposit can give you peace of mind, but it's also important to think about the security of your own money. You won't be responsible for unauthorized charges if your card is lost or stolen.
This is where "$0 Fraud Liability" comes in - it's a feature that protects you from financial loss due to unauthorized transactions. It's like having an extra layer of protection for your wallet.
If your card is lost or stolen, you won't have to worry about paying back any unauthorized charges. This can be a huge relief, especially if you're prone to misplacing things.
Having "$0 Fraud Liability" can give you more freedom to use your card without worrying about the consequences.
Security Deposit Basics
You can open a Platinum Secured Credit Card with a $49, $99, or $200 minimum deposit, which will give you an initial credit line of $200.
To make your security deposit, you'll need to fund it through an electronic funds transfer from a bank account, and all deposits must be at least $20 and in whole dollar increments.
You can make your required deposit online or over the phone, and you'll need to include your customer number, which is your unique identifier.
If you're approved for a Platinum Secured Credit Card, you'll have 35 days to make your full required deposit, or any partial deposits will be returned.
To increase your initial credit line, simply deposit more than your minimum required security deposit within 35 days of being approved, and you can raise your initial credit line by the amount of your additional deposit, up to $1,000.
Your security deposit is held as collateral against the credit line on your Platinum Secured Credit Card, and there are two ways it can be refunded: by earning it back as a statement credit through responsible card use, or by having it refunded when you close your account and pay your balance in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score is needed for a Capital One secured card?
You can qualify for a Capital One secured card with a credit score below 630, but approval is not guaranteed and other factors are also considered. A lower credit score may not necessarily be a barrier to approval, but it's just one of many factors in the decision-making process.
How do I use a secured credit card with $200 limit?
To use a secured credit card with a $200 limit, you'll need to put down a $200 refundable security deposit to establish your credit line. This deposit will be returned when you close your account or receive an upgrade offer.
Does Capital One automatically increase credit limit on secured card?
No, Capital One does not automatically increase credit limits on secured cards. You must increase your security deposit to be considered for a higher credit limit.
Can I add money to my Capital One secured credit card?
Yes, you can add money to your Capital One secured credit card, either all at once or in increments of at least $20, and increase your credit line as needed. You must fund the minimum deposit within 35 days of approval to avoid any issues.
How long does it take to get a deposit back from a Capital One secured card?
Deposits from a Capital One secured card are typically returned as a statement credit within 2 billing cycles after upgrading to an unsecured card. The exact timeframe may vary depending on the issuer's policies
Sources
- https://www.consumeraffairs.com/credit-cards/capital-one-secured-card.html
- https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/fair-and-building/
- https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/platinum-secured/
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/how-secured-credit-cards-work/
- https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilver-secured/
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