 TITLE: What Happens if You’re Turned Down for a Secured Credit Card CONTENT: Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying Again\n-----------------------------------------------\nIf you get denied credit, you may be tempted to immediately apply for a different card. But keep in mind, a hard inquiry will be added to your credit report every time you apply for credit—even if you're denied—which can result in a small decrease in your credit score.\nIf you apply for multiple credit card accounts in a short period, it can have a compounding negative impact on your credit score. Credit card applications can even be denied outright due to too many recent applications in your credit file.\nAs such, it's essential to take some time to improve your credit before you apply a second time. Here are some tips to help you get started:\n*   **Pay bills on time.** Your payment history is the most influential factor in determining your credit score. Make it a goal to get caught up on past-due credit accounts and pay your bills on time going forward.\n*   **Reduce credit card balances.** Your credit utilization rate—the percentage of your available credit you're using—is another important factor in your credit score. If you have other credit cards, try to pay down their balances—the lower your utilization rate, the better.\n*   **Get credit for utility and phone payments.** If you pay your utility and phone bills on time every month, you can get credit for those payments with Experian Boost™† . This free opt-in service allows you to connect your bank accounts, identify your utility and phone payment history, and confirm you want it added to your Experian credit file. You'll receive an updated FICO® Score☉ instantly.\n*   **Apply for new credit only if you need it.** While hard inquiries typically don't have a significant impact on your credit score, it can still make it harder to get approved for credit in the future, especially if you have other negative items on your credit report.\nMonitor Your Credit to Keep Track of Improvements\n-------------------------------------------------\nAs you're working on building your credit history, Experian's credit monitoring service can help you keep track of your improvements with a free FICO® Score powered by Experian data. You'll also get real-time alerts when new inquiries and accounts get added to your credit report.\nAs you work on building good credit habits and keep track of your improvements, you'll be on the right path to getting approved the next time you apply for a secured credit card. END