SSN
An SSN (Social Security number) is a nine-digit number issued by the US government, used by many lenders to identify you and pull your credit. It is the most common identifier on credit applications, but it is not the only one.
Why it matters
You do not need an SSN to build US credit: many lenders accept an ITIN instead, so people without an SSN can still open credit accounts and build a file.
Example
Someone without an SSN applies for a secured card using an ITIN; later, when they receive an SSN, they can link it to the existing account so the history carries forward — a manual step, not an automatic merge.
Learn more
Educational only — not financial advice. No guarantees.