Raise your credit score image with card art
Raise your credit score image with card art

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Build your FICO® credit score by 30+ points

on average in just 6 months with responsible use.13

Easy Application
Check if You’re Pre-Approved Prequal Application
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No credit score required to apply5
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Refundable security deposit required3
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No annual fee

Improve your financial future

A good credit score helps you to: .

Improve your financial future

A good credit score helps you to: .

Illustrations for loans, rentals, cars, homes, and insurance savings.

We’ve helped over 1.5 million people build their credit history14

A secured card could help you build your credit history with responsible use2 and make more things possible tomorrow.

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Two women smiling and using their mobile while walking
★★★★★
★★★★★
x out of 5 Average of x Reviews11

See how we calculate our ratings

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"I used this card to rebuild my credit, made on time payments and kept my usage low and they just upgraded me to a non-secured card after 6 months just like they said! Highly recommend."

 

One of 2,200+ 5-star reviews as of 01/2515

"Love this card. This card is helping me rebuild my credit in a big way."

 

One of 2,200+ 5-star reviews as of 12/2415

"Started off with a $200 secured card and was upgraded to $1500 unsecured within 7 months. Super proud of myself and grateful to discover."

 

One of 2,200+ 5-star reviews as of 12/2415

"After having this card for around a year now I can honestly say it did amazing things for my credit score post bankruptcy 2 years ago. Highly recommend and the cash back match is pretty good as well."

 

One of 2,200+ 5-star reviews as of 11/2415

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A women with yellow t-shirt using phone

How the Discover it® Secured credit card works for you

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You provide a refundable security deposit when you apply

Your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.1

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Your secured credit card can help you build credit responsibly

Smart habits like paying all your bills on time and in full each month can help you build credit with responsible use.2

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You can get your deposit back

After 7 months, we begin automatic monthly account reviews to see if you qualify to upgrade to an 'unsecured' card and get your deposit back.3

See if you’re pre-approved
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Secured Credit Card FAQs

If you want to build a credit history,2 or looking to rebuild credit with responsible use,2 the Discover it® Secured Credit Card may be right for you. To see if you qualify, Discover reviews your application, credit report, and other information.

And while you work on your credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card also provides other industry-leading benefits, like cash back rewards on every purchase, a refundable security deposit, security features like $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee, and more.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card helps you build your credit history with responsible use.2 It looks and acts like a traditional credit card except that you provide a refundable security deposit, which will equal your credit line, of at least $200.1 And like a traditional credit card, as you use your credit card, you’ll need to make payments each month and your credit card account use is reported to the three major credit bureaus. So, your on-time payments and responsible use can help build your credit history.2 Discover conducts automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.3 These reviews will look for your responsible credit use across all your cards and loans, not just with Discover. Apply Now.

A secured credit card requires you to make a deposit equal to the amount of your credit line, while an unsecured credit card requires no deposit.

To determine if you qualify for an account, we review the information that you provide on the application, information in your credit report, as well as other information we may have about your creditworthiness. You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age, have a Social Security number, U.S. address and U.S. bank account, and provide all the required information in the online application. Be sure to have your bank routing number and account number handy when you apply. There’s no credit score required to apply5 for a Discover it®️ Secured Credit Card.

 

If you’re not approved, we’ll provide you with the score we obtained, which credit reporting agency it was obtained from, and the reasons we couldn’t approve your application.

 

Applications are taken 24X7 on Discover.com. Apply Now

Some secured credit cards can help you build or rebuild credit if used responsibly, and if your card issuer reports your credit activity to the major credit bureaus. For example, the Discover it® Secured Card can help you build your credit history2 if you responsibly use your account and pay your other loans on time. Be sure to make at least your minimum monthly payment due on time. It may also help to pay down existing credit card debt and dispute errors on your credit report.

How long it takes to get the credit score you want depends on where you're starting, and how you use your secured card, other credit accounts, and loans. With the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, after 7 months, we begin automatic monthly account reviews to see if you qualify to upgrade to an 'unsecured' card and get your deposit back.3

Apply for a Discover it® Secured card today, and if approved begin to build your credit with responsible use.2

Discover determines your credit limit based on the information you provide. Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.1 If approved, you could have a credit limit up to $2,500.

1. If you pay your balance in full and close your credit card account, we'll refund your security deposit, which can take up to two billing cycles plus 10 days.

2. After 7 months, we begin automatic monthly account reviews to see if you qualify to upgrade to an 'unsecured' card and get your deposit back.3 These reviews are based on responsible credit management across all of your credit cards and loans, including Discover and others.

Yes. Getting a secured credit card isn’t guaranteed. Your application can be turned down.

Your APR—or annual percentage rate—on a secured credit card is a statement of the interest rate as a yearly rate. Let's say you started a new term and charged $500 for books, with an 18% APR. If you made only the minimum payment of $55 every month for 12 months, you would owe an extra $42 in interest.

With Discover, your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.1 When you're trying to build a credit history, you need a credit limit that lets you easily make regular purchases and pay your bill responsibly.

Yes, a credit card issuer will typically place a hard inquiry on your credit report when you apply for either secured or unsecured credit cards.

Paying your Discover it®️ Secured credit card is like paying any regular credit card. Each month, you’ll receive a statement with your minimum payment due by the due date. Pay at least the minimum amount due by the due date to keep your account in good standing.

No, you can't increase the credit limit on your secured card. However, you can get your deposit back after six consecutive months of on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts. If you qualify to get your deposit back, you’ll automatically be considered for a credit line increase.3
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No annual fee

x% Standard Variable Purchase APR† applies.

†See rates, rewards, fees, and other cost information > , Opens new window
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Security deposit

Your credit limit will equal your deposit amount. And you can get it back.

Get your deposit back after six consecutive months of on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.3

Secured cards with different colors
Secured group cards with different colors
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How to get a secured credit card and build credit with responsible use2

When you're just starting out and you have no credit history at all, you need to find the right credit card that can help prepare you for the future. On-time payments can help put you on the right financial path. It's important to show a good credit score in case you want to rent an apartment, finance a car loan, get hired by employers who review credit reports, or use a mortgage to buy a house.

Check your credit score 

Discover shows your FICO® Credit Score8 for free, so you can track it. Seeing how your credit score is affected by your credit actions can help you improve your credit knowledge.

Apply for the Discover it® Secured Card

With the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, you provide a refundable security deposit to back your credit line. You still make monthly payments, and can build credit with responsible use.2

Pay credit bills on time

The Discover it® Secured Card can help you build credit with responsible use2, like making your payments on time and in full each month. Payment history is reported to the credit bureaus.

Keep your balances low

Another part of responsible credit card use is to keep your balances low to improve your credit utilization ratio–using less of your available credit is viewed by credit bureaus more favorably.

Get your deposit back

After 7 months, we begin automatic monthly account reviews to see if you qualify to upgrade to an 'unsecured' card and get your deposit back.3

Cash Back

A secured credit card with real rewards

2%
Cash back at gas stations and restaurants

Earn 2% Cashback Bonus® at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.††

1%
Cash back on all other purchases automatically

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all your other purchases.

2x
Cashback Match at the end of your first year

Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.4

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A person making contactless payment with mobile
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99% nationwide acceptance

Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.9

Services

Services & Features

Benefits that don't just talk the talk

Discover service and security features

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$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee

You're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.10

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Free Social Security number alerts
Get an alert if we find your Social Security Number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.6 Activate for free.
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Freeze it® on/off switch for your account
If you misplace your card, you can prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers in seconds with the Freeze it® on/off switch on our mobile app and website.7
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FICO® Credit Score for free

Viewing your Credit Scorecard will never impact your FICO® Score.8
Learn More

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Real human customer service 24/7

You can talk to a real human on our customer service team any time.12

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Tap to pay

It's fast and easy to pay with your contactless Discover Card.16

Learn more about secured credit cards

What is a Secured Credit Card? >

 

Denied for credit cards or loans due to poor credit? Learn what secured cards are and how one can help you build your credit history2 and get back on track.

How to Use a Secured Credit Card >

 

Use these tips on how to use your secured credit card.

What is a Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Card?

 

Learn what makes a secured credit card different than an unsecured credit card, including which card requires a deposit and how you can qualify for each.

Secured Credit Card Myths and Realities

 

Worried about not getting your security deposit back? Learn more about how secured cards work.

View all Secured Credit Card Articles View all Secured Credit Card Articles

Take the first step to stronger credit

Join 1.5+ million cardmembers in building credit history with responsible use.2

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Discover it® secured card
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