Typical Credit Cards are also known as "Unsecured" Cards. However, many banks and cards offer "Secured" cards for people who don't have good credit. These cards require a security deposit, similar to placing a deposit on an apartment. If you pay off your card balance when you close the account, you get that deposit back.

Secured Credit Cards are different from Prepaid Cards (also known as Debit Cards) since cardholders are provided a credit line that will be reported to the Consumer Reporting Agencies. Paying your minimum payment on time each month and keeping your balance low relative to your limit will provide your credit report with positive marks on a monthly basis. If your credit card applications have been turned down in the past due to bad credit, then a secured credit card is a great tool to help you regain control of your credit future.

We all fall on hard times, but there are ways to rebuild your credit and get back on your feet. Part of repairing your credit includes having active, open accounts that are in good standing. Some of the cards featured on this site may be able to help you re-establish your credit history if you make on-time minimum payments with all of your creditors and keep your account balances low relative to the credit limit.