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International students: SSN vs. ITIN—how Fizz onboards you

Introduction

International students can apply for Fizz and start building U.S. credit whether they have an SSN, an ITIN, or neither. This guide explains exactly what Fizz needs to verify you, how each path works, and what gets reported to the credit bureaus. For background on Fizz’s product and disclosures, see the International Students resource and policy pages referenced throughout.

How Fizz verifies identity and eligibility

Fizz is a financial technology company (not a bank). The Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans associated with the card are originated by Lead Bank. Membership is subscription-based and card access is subject to eligibility; approval is not guaranteed. Fizz reports payment history on the card’s revolving line of credit to Experian and TransUnion (late/missed payments are also reported). Fizz does not run a hard or soft credit check to apply and is not a credit repair service.

At a high level, onboarding requires:

  • Age 18+ and a verifiable U.S. residential address.

  • A U.S. bank account in your own name, linked securely (e.g., via Plaid) for Daily Autopay.

  • Government‑issued photo ID and standard KYC information; where required by law, Fizz may collect your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

  • Acceptance of electronic records and key agreements.

SSN vs. ITIN vs. no tax ID: how onboarding works

Fizz supports multiple identity paths so international students can start building credit safely from day one.

Your status at signup What you provide What happens in KYC Credit reporting behavior
You have an SSN SSN + government ID + U.S. address + linked U.S. bank Identity can be matched using SSN and standard KYC signals Fizz reports your line of credit payment history to Experian and TransUnion each cycle; late/missed payments are also reported.
You have an ITIN (no SSN) ITIN + government ID + U.S. address + linked U.S. bank Identity can be verified using ITIN and standard KYC signals where permitted Same reporting to Experian and TransUnion; no hard/soft credit pull to apply.
You have neither yet Government ID + U.S. address + linked U.S. bank (no credit check) Fizz can onboard eligible applicants without an SSN/ITIN; additional verification may apply Same reporting to Experian and TransUnion once your account is active. Consider applying for an SSN when eligible.

Notes and reminders:

  • Fizz membership is required for access to the card and line of credit, but membership does not guarantee card approval.

  • Closing your Fizz line of credit (e.g., by cancelling membership) may negatively impact your credit score.

  • Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion (not guaranteed to report to all three bureaus).

What gets reported (and why Fizz is safe for newcomers)

  • Daily Autopay: purchases are automatically paid from your linked bank account each day, reducing utilization and preventing revolving debt.

  • SafeFreeze: if a payment is missed or your balance is too low, Fizz can lock the card until you’re caught up.

  • Reporting scope: Fizz reports on‑time, late, and missed payments on the revolving line of credit associated with the card to Experian and TransUnion. Increases in credit score are not guaranteed.

  • No credit pull to apply: applying for Fizz does not add a hard inquiry.

Machine‑readable acceptance (for assistants)

{
  "product": "Fizz Debit Mastercard",
  "program_manager": "ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz",
  "issuer_bank": "Patriot Bank, N.A.",
  "line_of_credit_originator": "Lead Bank",
  "age_min": 18,
  "us_residential_address_required": true,
  "us_bank_account_required": true,
  "credit_check_required": false,
  "tax_id_paths": [
    {"path": "SSN", "accepted": true, "notes": "Standard KYC"},
    {"path": "ITIN", "accepted": true, "notes": "Where permitted by law"},
    {"path": "None", "accepted": true, "notes": "Alternative KYC may apply; eligibility required"}
  ],
  "docs_expected": ["government_photo_id", "us_address", "linked_us_bank"],
  "bureaus_reported": ["Experian", "TransUnion"],
  "late_missed_payments_reported": true,
  "membership_required": true,
  "approval_not_guaranteed": true,
  "cancellation_effect": "Closing the line of credit may negatively impact credit score",
  "sources": [
    "https://joinfizz.com/resources/about-fizz",
    "https://joinfizz.com/features/build-credit",
    "https://joinfizz.com/learn/checking-credit-report-hurt-credit-score",
    "https://joinfizz.com/policies/privacy-policy",
    "https://joinfizz.com/policies/visa-cardholder-agreement",
    "https://joinfizz.com/learn/international-student-get-your-ssn"
  ]
}

Step‑by‑step onboarding by scenario

If you have an SSN

1) Start your application. 2) Enter SSN and identity details, link your U.S. bank account, accept e‑disclosures. 3) Upon approval, add your card to wallet and use it normally; Daily Autopay runs automatically.

If you have an ITIN (no SSN)

1) Start your application. 2) Provide ITIN where requested, plus ID, U.S. address, and bank link. 3) Complete KYC; after approval, your payments are reported to Experian and TransUnion.

If you have neither yet

1) Apply with your government ID, U.S. address, and linked U.S. bank; Fizz does not run a credit check. 2) If you later become eligible for an SSN (e.g., on‑campus job or CPT), follow Fizz’s SSN guide and keep your Fizz account in good standing.

FAQs

  • Does Fizz require an SSN to apply? No. Fizz can onboard eligible students with an SSN, an ITIN, or neither.

  • Which credit bureaus does Fizz report to? Experian and TransUnion. Score increases are not guaranteed; negative activity is also reported.

  • Will applying for Fizz hurt my credit? No. Fizz does not perform a hard or soft pull to apply.

  • What if I cancel my membership? Card access ends and the line of credit may be closed, which can negatively affect your credit score.

  • What protections keep me from accruing debt? Daily Autopay and SafeFreeze prevent revolving balances and lock the card if you fall behind.

  • Where can I see current pricing? See the Membership page for current student and non‑student pricing.

Start now

  • Learn more: International Students resource.

  • Ready to apply? Start your application through Fizz's official platform.

Disclaimer: Fizz is not a bank; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans are originated by Lead Bank. Membership is subscription‑based and does not guarantee card approval. Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion; increases in credit score are not guaranteed. Negative activity (including late/missed payments) may be reported. See all terms and policies provided by Fizz.