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Fact Checks

Start here: Each one exists because a specific claim, findable online right now, doesn't match what the issuer's own page currently says.

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Does Kikoff Actually Report to All Three Credit Bureaus? Some reviews still say Kikoff's $5 plan only reports to two bureaus. We checked kikoff.com directly — here's what's actually true in 2026. Is the Deserve EDU Mastercard Still Available? Deserve EDU used to be a well-known passport-only student card. As of this check, it's discontinued — here's what changed and what to use instead. Does Citi's Secured Card Require an SSN to Graduate? Citi accepts an ITIN to open its Secured Mastercard, but graduating to an unsecured card requires a valid SSN on file. Here's exactly what Citi's own page says. OpenSky's 'No Credit Check' Doesn't Mean 'No SSN' OpenSky's secured card skips the credit check, but its own terms still require a valid SSN or ITIN — and its separate unsecured card does a hard pull at graduation.

Free: The No-SSN Credit Card Checklist

The exact documents to have ready before you apply — ITIN or passport, proof of address, proof of income — one printable page.

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