A family member has an excellent credit history and I would like to have them list me as an (AU) authorized user on one of their credit cards. However, they are currently over 90 years of age. What happens should they pass? Will I be liable for their debts on this credit card?
No, you can pay, but you don't have to. You will probably have to fight them off, though. They will try.
Would it be an option to have them list you as AU on an account that has a zero balance (one they don't use at all) so it won't be a potential problem? DemPooches
No, she uses most of the cards she has. The funny thing is that she is still using department store credit cards with my fathers name on them(she's an authorized user). He's been dead for over 15 years.
Would they put it into collections and try to put the collections on my credit. Couldnt that fight hurt my credit? Has this happened to any of you?
Does she sign her name Mrs. <insert husband's name>??? I think that's cute. My friend's mom signs her name like that and most of her old department store cards are in her husbands name. My now ex made me an AU on his mastercard back in the day. I never used it, cut it up and that was that. The account charged off and next thing I knew, it was on MY credit report as a charge off! I eventually got it off becaues the bottom line is that I couldn't be held accountable. They tried though...but failed.
She use to sign using his name-alot of older women do that-BIG MISTAKE. She found out after he died that she needed to create her own credit identity. She was in charge of paying the bills and never paid a bill late (prob in her life) but they were all under my fathers name. When he died and she tried to get a credit card they said she didnt have enough credit and the credit card company denied the application. Now she has nothing but platnum cards so she gets the last laugh. How long did the negative info stay on your report?
Authorized users have NOfinancial responsability regardless if the cc tries to collect from you. they will probably lose.
The was some law inacted (YEARS AGO) about credit card accounts involving HUSBAND/WIFE...if all the accounts were in "HIS" name wife can get them reported as "JOINT"...may have been a CALIFORNIA LAW... When my DAD died I think my MOTHER just sent a letter or called on the phone and "said drop him since he died and I will still be paying the bill like I have for the past 50+ years"
