Providian was the card I used to get started with a credit history in the USA, since the British one is non-transferable. I had a secured card, then it became an unsecured card, then I replaced it with a card without a fee, and now I'm all right. Which about explains what kind of clientele they take on: people who are desperate to build a credit history (such as fresh immigrants with a fresh social security number).

If you don't want to get credit card offers, write to the credit houses - Experian, etc (there are three) and tell them that you no longer want them to release your credit info to companies for the purpose of soliciting. If you get a copy of your credit reports you'll probably see a bunch of "inquiries" listed, which is credit card companies sniffing you out for potential customerdom.