 TITLE: How to Get a Secured Credit Card CONTENT: Why Secured Credit Cards Can Be a Good Option\n---------------------------------------------\nSecured cards give people with limited or poor credit history the opportunity to establish and build their credit. They can also serve as stepping stones to obtaining other forms of credit.\nUnlike prepaid cards—which are preloaded with cash and are used like debit cards—secured cards typically report your account and payment history to at least one of the three major credit bureaus. Having your information reported to the credit bureaus is crucial to establishing and building your credit score, so you should confirm with the issuer of your secured card that it will report your account history.\nSome card issuers may return your original security deposit or increase your credit limit if you demonstrate responsible use, or may even convert the card to an unsecured card. For example, the Secured Mastercard® from Capital One may offer cardholders a higher credit limit in as little as six months, and the security deposit can be earned back as a statement credit by responsibly using the card. END