How Secured Credit Card Deposits Work

What Is a Security Deposit for a Credit Card?

A security deposit is a refundable deposit that serves as collateral for the secured credit card. The credit card issuer holds the deposit and only uses it if you default on your credit card balance. It's important to understand that you can't use your security deposit to pay your monthly credit card bill.

Generally, your security deposit is equal to your credit limit. The credit card issuer may increase your credit limit after a certain time if you make on-time payments or provide an additional security deposit. Read the specific terms of the credit card you're applying for to find out how and when you can increase your credit limit.

If you use your secured credit card responsibly, the card issuer may offer to convert it to an unsecured credit card and refund your security deposit. Not all secured card issuers offer an unsecured option, so check the terms of the credit card you're applying for if you're interested in this feature.

How to Make a Deposit on a Secured Credit Card

Making your security deposit is usually the last step in the secured credit card application process. You'll fill out an application online, provide personal information such as your Social Security number and financial information such as your monthly income, and decide how high you want your credit limit to be. Typically, secured credit cards let you select a credit limit ranging from $200 to $2,000; some cards offer set amounts (such as $250, $500 or $1,000) for you to choose from.

Once you select the credit limit you want, you'll make a deposit for that amount (and pay any application fees, processing fees or other fees the card issuer charges) via electronic transfer or debit. Before you start filling out your online application, make sure you have enough money available to transfer at the end of the process.

Because you submit your deposit as part of the application process, you'll typically be approved immediately. Your secured credit card will then be mailed to you; as soon as you receive and activate it, you can start using it right away.

Are you nervous about putting down a deposit online without having a credit card in hand? Some secured credit card issuers let you apply online and wait to make your security deposit once you've been approved and receive your credit card. Once you make the security deposit, the card will be activated and ready to use. Keep in mind that if you don't make the security deposit within a certain time period set by the card issuer, your card approval will be withdrawn.

When Do You Get Your Secured Credit Card Deposit Back?

It's reassuring to know that your secured credit card deposit is refundable. But exactly when will you get the money back? In most cases, your security deposit will be refunded once your account balance is paid off and the account is closed, or when your secured credit card is converted to an unsecured credit card. Review the card's terms and conditions for the issuer's rules about when you can get your deposit back.

Even if you don't plan to use your secured credit card anymore, there may be good reason not to close the account. Closing a credit card account could increase your credit utilization ratio, the amount of available credit you're using, which can hurt your credit score.

Instead of closing the card, see if you can transition to an unsecured card with the same credit card issuer. For instance, some issuers will automatically offer you an unsecured credit card after you've made on-time payments on your secured card for 12 months. Others require you to request an unsecured card. Once you've transitioned to an unsecured card, the card issuer will refund your security deposit, minus any outstanding fees.

How to Get a Credit Card Without a Security Deposit

If you want to avoid putting down a security deposit, consider working on improving your credit scores so you can qualify for an unsecured credit card. Secured credit cards can help by giving you the chance to prove you can use credit responsibly.

Before you apply for a secured credit card, make sure the card issuer will report your payment history to the credit reporting agencies. Once you get a secured credit card, work to improve your credit score by using the card to make small purchases every month and paying them off in full and on time. Going forward, focus on paying all of your bills on time—this is the single biggest factor that can help you attain a good credit score. Setting up automatic payments can help ensure you never miss a due date.

If you have any outstanding late payments, bring them current as soon as possible. And pay down credit card debt to ensure your credit utilization ratio remains below 30%. To calculate your utilization ratio, divide your total credit card balances by your total credit limits.

Check your credit report to make sure all the information there is correct, and dispute any items you believe to be inaccurate. You're entitled to a free credit report from each of the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com; you can also check your Experian credit report for free every 30 days. Also consider getting your FICO^® Score^☉ for free from Experian to see how your efforts are paying off.

Finally, if you pay phone and utility bills, using Experian Boost^®ø may also help increase your credit score. This free service uses your utility, phone and other telecom bill payments to help improve your FICO^® Score.

A Deposit on Your Future

Putting down a deposit on a secured credit card may be painful, especially since you can't use that deposit to pay your credit card bills. But keep in mind that you can get your deposit back once you close your account or convert it to an unsecured credit card. Ultimately, the deposit on a secured card is a small investment in building a good credit score, a robust credit history and a better financial future—and you can't put a price on that.