Hello everyone. I have done some searching on Authorized Users and have read quite a bit. As I understand it, by adding an Authorized User to an existing credit card account, the creditor will then report to the credit bureaus for both the Authorized User and the Original Account holder. Is this correct? In my situation, my credit history is only a few years old and my wife's history is about 6-7 years. She has a good score of around 720 and has about $20K in total CL available to her. Her utilization is less than 10% of her total credit line. We called Providian, where she has a CL of $4400 and asked to have me added as an AU. They processed her request and only asked for my Name and nothing else. We asked them did they need my SS number and she said no. We asked if they would be reporting to the CRA on my credit report and she said no, that is only for Joint Account holders. So do I have this wrong in my interpretation of AU's? How can I ensure that if I am added as an AU to her cards that I get the benefits of having her history reported to me? Thanks in advance.
A few years ago my mom added me as AU to her chase ccard account. all she gave them was my name, but sure enough I have a complete history on my cr's for that account, a very good 15 year old TL!! (Big Brother will always find you!)
You have the right understanding of AU's and how they can benefit someone, the problem is - not all creditors play the game right Providian would be a good example. Do you have a selection to choose from? Maybe list them and someone can tell you if they do or don't.
I have a friend who was put as an AU on a company credit card. It still reports to her bureau even though she hasn't worked for the company for almost 10 years! Heck, a good TL is a good TL and I would take it!
I just got added to my dad's BOA platinum priority visa yesterday..I'll post when I find out how it or if it increases my score. I wonder how long that will take, maybe next months report pull?? Does anyone know if BOA reports AU's to all three CRA's?? Thanks!!
Citibank used to report AU's to the CRA's years ago. I was an AU on my brother's Citibank; that's how I got my credit started. I had my SO on my AMEX accnt as an AU at one time, but only my card was reported to only my CR. So I guess it depends on the bank.
I have a Cap1 account in very good standing, and my DH had no current good TL's. So, I called them to add him as an AU. They didn't ask me for a SS# or anything. I said, "Well, aren't you going to report this on his credit too?" and she said "No, we don't do that for AU's". So, I was pretty ticked off. Then guess what? 3 days later it shows up on his report, like he had it the whole time I've had it open. Bumped his score up quite a bit.
Re: Authorized Users - I am confus I just added my wife as an AU on my cap 1 acct and they asked for all her info, when I asked why they needed SSN they said "to report her to the CRAs. ?????
Re: Authorized Users - I am confus Thanks to everyone for the great information here. I understand how AU works a whole lot better now.
Re: Re: Authorized Users - I am confus New Question: Can I be added as an AU to an account that my Uncle owns? He has a couple of cards from about 15 years back with nice CL and no negatives that will surely help my credit. I do not live at the same address as him, will this affect it?
Re: Re: Authorized Users - I am co George, Why did they ask for SSN? if it is not needed to report were they asking for it for another reason?
Re: Re: Re: Authorized Users - I am confus ANYBODY CAN BE AN "AU" ON ANYBODY'S CARD (with two exceptions)--AMEX must be 18--"IF" you had problems with that company before (PAYMENT WISE)...they most likely will say NO WAY!!!
