Here are two ways to begin:

• Apply for a retail store or gasoline credit card. Retail store and gasoline credit cards are generally easier to get than other types of credit. By making a few small purchases and then making timely payments each month, you'll start building a credit history.
• Apply for a VISA® or MasterCard® with a secured credit limit. If you have less-than-perfect credit, or no credit at all, you may still qualify for a major credit card. Here's how it works: As collateral (security deposit), you put a certain amount of cash (say $1,000) into a frozen bank account. The bank then issues you a credit card with a $1,000 credit limit. Once you've established a track record of timely monthly payments, the card issuer will generally waive the collateral and return the security deposit to you.

Before signing a loan agreement or credit contract, consider your overall financial situation and your ability to repay your loan.

• Make sure you fully understand a credit contract and its repayment terms before signing it.
• Make your loan payments promptly.
• Notify the creditor of any billing errors as soon as possible.
• Notify the creditor immediately if, for any reason, you cannot make scheduled payments

To help prevent thieves from stealing and using your credit card number, be careful when giving out your personal credit information:

• When giving credit information over the phone, make sure the person (and company) is legitimate. Do not give credit information in response to high-pressure sales tactics. Be suspicious of "incredible, one-time" offers.
• When giving credit information over the Internet, make sure the website is a secure site. Most secure sites will highlight this with a notice or use a small graphic symbol of a lock to indicate the site is secure and that no one can tap into the site and steal your credit card number.
• Keep receipts of your credit card purchases in a safe place.
• Keep a separate record of all your credit card numbers.
• Destroy unwanted cards.
• Sign new cards immediately.