Prepaid Credit Cards to Build Credit

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Key takeaways

Prepaid cards offer a convenient and secure alternative to cash without requiring a credit check or bank account.
Prepaid credit cards won’t help you build credit, as they don’t involve borrowing or reporting to credit bureaus.
Secured credit cards or becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card are more effective for improving your credit score.

A prepaid credit card looks like a regular credit card. You can use it just about anywhere – shop online, pay bills, and even withdraw cash from an ATM. They offer fraud protection and can help limit spending, something cash doesn’t do. The best part may be that you don’t need a credit check to get one. A huge perk if your credit score is too low for a traditional credit card.

Prepaid cards offer a lot of perks, but do they help you build credit? Here’s what you should know.

What is a prepaid credit card?

A prepaid credit card is a payment card that you load money onto in advance. You can only spend the money that you’ve preloaded on it. It is similar to a debit card except that it is not linked to a bank account, so you cannot overdraw.

Prepaid cards can be used for everyday purchases. They are widely accepted anywhere major card networks like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express are used. You can use them to shop online, pay bills, or withdraw cash from ATMs. They’re often used by people who don’t have a bank account or who want to avoid overspending.

How do prepaid cards work?

Prepaid cards are easy to get and don’t require a credit check. You can purchase a prepaid card from banks, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, or online providers. Once you have your card, load money onto it from your bank account or through cash deposits. Then, use the card wherever you like. Grocery stores, retailers, online shops, utility companies, and more all accept prepaid cards. They are basically gift cards that can be used anywhere.

When it comes to a prepaid vs. debit card, the big difference lies in the fact that debit cards are linked to checking accounts. When you use your debit card, you are taking funds directly from your bank account. Prepaid debit cards do not require a bank account. You can only spend the money that you’ve preloaded onto the card.

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Do prepaid credit cards help build credit?

Regular credit cards involve borrowing money from the card issuer. You make purchases on credit and then have to pay for them at the end of the billing cycle. You can either make the minimum payment or pay your balance in full. Paying in full is always best. Your card issuer reports your payment history and amount spent to the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The credit bureaus use this information to calculate your credit score.

A prepaid credit card will not help you build credit, as they do not involve borrowing. To use a prepaid card, you have to load your own money onto it. There’s no borrowing, no debt, no interest charges, and no bills to pay each month. Since you’re not borrowing money, the card issuer has nothing to report to the credit bureaus. As there’s no credit reporting, the prepaid card will not impact your score.

What are the advantages of a prepaid card?

While prepaid cards won’t build your credit, they offer several benefits that can make them the right choice.

You don’t need a bank account

To get a debit card or be eligible for most credit cards, you must have an active bank account. One of the most significant benefits of prepaid cards is that they don’t require this. If you have a poor banking history and can’t open an account or want to avoid traditional banks, prepaid cards are still an option.

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It’s an alternative to cash

Carrying cash can be inconvenient and risky. Not to mention, a lot of businesses are turning away from cash and requiring electronic payments. If you don’t have a debit or credit card, this leaves you in a tough position.

Prepaid cards offer a secure solution. You can use them anywhere their payment method is accepted. They provide a safer and easier way to make purchases without needing physical currency.

They can also be an easy gift if you don’t want to give cash and are not sure what gift card to select.

You’re under 18

You have to be 18 to qualify for a credit card. Typically, you have to be over 18 to open a bank account. Some banks offer special teen accounts or custodial accounts for minors. Prepaid cards can be a good way to learn how to handle money before you get a credit or debit card of your own. Parents can load funds onto the card, set limits, and help their children learn essential budgeting skills.

You can’t qualify for a traditional credit card

Traditional credit cards require a hard inquiry. If you have a poor score or a limited credit history, it can be tough to qualify. Prepaid cards offer a viable alternative. You don’t need a credit check to get one, and you can start using them right away.

You want fraud protection

Unlike cash, prepaid cards offer protection from fraudulent purchases. You must register your card when you get it and report it as lost or stolen before submitting a claim. Typically, you are only liable for up to $50 of unauthorized purchases as long as you report issues within two days.

While debit cards also offer fraud protection, the thief can potentially access your entire checking account.

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With a prepaid card, you can only spend what’s on the card. If you tend to overspend, this feature can help restrain you. And since you’re not borrowing money, you won’t rack up debt with impulse purchases.

You don’t have to worry about missing a bill

Credit cards can be convenient, but you have to make payments every month. With a prepaid card, you don’t have to worry about extra bills. You can take advantage of plastic and shopping virtually anywhere without worrying about missing payments or interest charges.

What are the downsides of using a prepaid card?

While prepaid cards offer plenty of benefits, they are not perfect. First of all, they will not impact your credit score. You are not borrowing money, so there’s nothing to report to the credit bureaus. If you’re looking to boost your score, you need another option. Consider applying for a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account.

Many prepaid cards come with fees. Potential fees can include:

Activation fee
Monthly maintenance fee
Transaction fee
Reloading fee
Checking balance fee

It’s essential to research issuers and choose a card with minimal fees to maximize its benefits. You can find reloadable prepaid cards with no fees, but they are rare.

While prepaid cards offer protection against fraud, they do not offer the same level of protection as credit cards. If there is an unauthorized charge on your prepaid card, you may not be able to dispute it as easily as you could with a credit card.

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Are prepaid credit cards safe?

Prepaid credit cards are generally safe to use and are certainly safer than carrying cash. If you lose cash, it is gone forever, whereas many prepaid cards have protections to recover funds if lost or stolen. Prepaid cards are not connected to a bank account. This helps lower the risk of identity theft and financial fraud.

Fraud is still a possibility. In 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a ruling offering protections against loss and fraud similar to traditional credit and debit cards. In order to take advantage of these protections, you need to register your card. If your card is lost, stolen, or you notice any suspicious activity, call the customer support number right away.

As long as you report the issue promptly, your liability for unauthorized or mistaken charges is typically limited. If resolving the dispute takes longer than ten business days, card issuers are generally required to return the disputed amount back to your account during the investigation.

Additionally, some prepaid cards include deposit insurance. Deposit insurance protects your funds if the card issuer goes out of business, but only if the card is registered.

Alternatives to prepaid cards for building credit

Prepaid credit cards to build credit don’t exist. The good news is that there are plenty of other ways to build up your score.

Secured credit cards

Secured credit cards are one of the better options for getting started building credit. These cards generally do not require a hard inquiry or have very lenient requirements. They work like regular credit cards but require a security deposit as collateral. The cash deposit serves as your credit limit and minimizes the risk for the issuer. It is 100% refundable when you close your account in good standing.

You use your secured card just as you would a normal credit card. Make purchases and pay your bill every month. The card issuer will report your credit activity to the three major credit bureaus. If you make timely payments and spend less than 30% of your limit, your score should improve.

Store credit cards

Store credit cards are another option that is easy to qualify for, and they don’t require a security deposit. These cards are offered by major retailers and can only be used at their stores or sister franchises. They may come with discounts, coupons, or other perks for shopping at the issuing merchant.

The catch with store cards is that they have lower credit limits and higher interest rates. On the upside, issuers will report your credit activity to the bureaus. Charge a small amount each month, stay below 30% of your limit, and make on-time payments. Gradually, your score will go up. And if you pay your balance in full, you won’t be charged any interest.

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Become an authorized user

If you have a friend or family member with good credit, you can ask to be added as an authorized user on their account. As an authorized user, their on-time payments and responsible credit card use will help build your score. Also, you can use the card without being legally responsible if they default.

Being an authorized user is one of the easiest ways to build credit and access a card. You don’t have to apply for your own account, nor do you even have to use the card. If you use it, you will be responsible for a portion of the bill and need to figure it out beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can you get a prepaid credit card without a credit check?

Yes, you can obtain a prepaid card without a credit check. Unlike traditional credit cards, prepaid cards do not involve borrowing money. Therefore, they do not require a hard inquiry for approval.

2. What is the fastest way to build credit?

The fastest way to improve your score is to use a credit card responsibly. Pay your bill on time each month and keep your utilization below 30% of your limit. Secured credit cards, store cards, and becoming an authorized user are effective strategies for building credit quickly.

3. Are prepaid cards a good choice?

Prepaid cards can be a good choice for individuals seeking a simple, convenient payment method without needing a credit check or bank account. They can help reduce spending and are more secure than cash. Consider your financial needs when deciding if a prepaid card is right for you.

Bottom line

While prepaid cards won’t help you build credit, they do have several advantages over cash. These cards can be particularly useful if you don’t have a bank account, want to limit your spending, or can’t qualify for a traditional credit card.

If your primary goal is to improve your score, consider applying for a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on a friend or family member’s card. Use your card responsibly – pay bills on time and don’t overspend – and your score will improve over time. Once you’ve gotten your score up, you can apply for the credit card you’ve been eyeing.

1. Paycheck Advance is For eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC, which offers this optional feature. Finco Advance LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank. Expedited disbursement of your Paycheck Advance is an optional feature that is subject to an Instant Access Fee and may not be available to all users. Expedited disbursements may take up to an hour. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.

2. Paycheck Advance is an earned wage access service and is not a loan or credit product.

3. Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and/or Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card, which may be issued by Choice Financial Group and/or Cross River Bank, and the Current Visa® secured charge card, which is issued by Cross River Bank, are all issued pursuant to licenses from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit or credit cards are accepted. A Current debit account is required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.

4. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.

5. Debit card: Fees may apply, including out of network cash withdrawal fees, third-party fees, cash load fees, inactivity fees, account closure fees, international transaction fees, replacement card fees, express mail fees and escheatment fees. Build Card: Some fees may apply, including out of network ATM fees of $2.50 per transaction, late payment fees of 3% of any total due balance outstanding and past due for two or more billing cycles, foreign transaction fees of 3% of the full transaction amount (minimum $0.50), card replacement fees per card of $5 for regular delivery and $30 for expedited delivery, cash deposit fees of $3.50 per deposit, and third party processing fees.

6. The Current Visa® Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.

7. Individual results may vary. Using your credit card responsibly may allow you to improve your credit score. Credit building depends on various factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other financial activities.

8. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.

9. Funds held in Savings Pods are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at our partner bank Choice Financial Group, member FDIC.

10. Actual overdraft amount may vary and is subject to change at any time, at Current’s sole discretion. In order to qualify and enroll in the Fee-Free Overdraft feature, you must receive $500 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits into your Current Account over the preceding 35-day period and fulfill other requirements subject to Current’s discretion. Negative balances must be repaid within 60 days of the first Eligible Transaction that caused the negative balance. For more information, please refer to Fee-free Overdraft Terms and Conditions. Individual Current Accounts only.

11. For eligible customers only. You may earn Points in connection with your Build Card purchases at retailers whose merchant code is classified as: Dining (e.g., restaurants) and Groceries (e.g., supermarkets) and by completing other actions that Current designates as subject to the Current Points Program. The amount of Points granted for different actions as well as the purchase requirements necessary to earn Points will vary, and is subject to Current’s sole discretion. After qualifying, please allow 3-5 business days for points to post to your Current account. Points will expire 365 days after they settle. For more information (including specific eligibility criteria), please refer to the Current Points Terms and Condition.

12. Some fees may apply, including out of network ATM fees of $2.50 per transaction, late payment fees of 3% of any total due balance outstanding and past due for two or more billing cycles, foreign transaction fees of 3% of the full transaction amount (minimum $0.50), card replacement fees per card of $5 for regular delivery and $30 for expedited delivery, cash deposit fees of $3.50 per deposit, and third party processing fees.

13. Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. No minimum balance required. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. To earn a Boost rate of 4.00%, the sum of your Eligible Payroll Deposits over a rolling 35-day period must be $500 or more, with at least one Eligible Payroll Deposit equalling a minimum of $200. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions.

14. Your money is FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at each of our partner banks, Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, members FDIC.

15. Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2023 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 amenity, guaranteed 4PM late checkout, and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. $100 amenity varies by property. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

16. Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

17. The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

18. Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one- way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

19. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

20. Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

21. When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

22. Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

23. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

24. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

25. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

26. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

27. There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

28. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

29. Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.

30. Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.

31. On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

32. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

33. SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your Visa debit card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.

34. Tipping or not tipping has no impact on your eligibility for SpotMe®.

35. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

36. Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.

37. Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.

38. Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member’s direct deposit enrollment status.

39. Funds are automatically debited from your Checking Account and typically deposited into the recipient’s Checking Account within seconds. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed.

40. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed. Non-Chime members must use a valid debit card to claim funds.

41. MyPay is only offered in select states

42. To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 – $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply.

43. Not affiliated with Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America (www.empower.com). Not everyone will qualify. Offers range from $10-$300 for first-time customers; $10-$400 for all others. Offers are based on our eligibility requirements and can go up with on-time payments. In Feb 2025, the average offer was $95 for first-time customers; $187 for all others. Instant delivery is optional—see fees in Empower’s Terms. Empower offers a 14-day trial for first-time customers followed by an auto-recurring $8/month subscription fee. Cancel anytime.

* EarnIn is not available for Connecticut residents

Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor's credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA.

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Can You Use Prepaid Credit Cards to Build Credit?

Key takeaways

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What is a prepaid credit card?

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Do prepaid credit cards help build credit?