There is much debate over how well
authorized user accounts help build credit scores.
Not exact matches
Although
authorized user status also doesn't boost your credit score as much as if you were the primary
account holder, it does
help.
You might be able to
help yourself a little in this category by becoming an
authorized user on an old
account with an excellent payment record.
Depending on the average age of your
accounts, adding an
authorized user can
help your credit score.
If your goal is to
help increase the
authorized user's credit score, it can be beneficial to strategically choose the right
account to add them to.
Adding an
authorized user to your credit card
account can
help establish or improve their credit, but how will it affect you?
Dear Speaking of Credit, I was recently added to my fiance's
accounts as an
authorized user to try to
help him clear up some fraud.
If you are young and just starting out with credit and have a job, get a secured credit card or ask a family member with good credit to add you to the
account as an
authorized user to
help you build your credit.
Still, adding an
authorized user account to your credit report can
help your score, both when the latest FICO models are employed and to a greater degree with the older versions still in use, such as in mortgage lending.
It may
help slightly for you to make each other
authorized users on the other card, but it would likely
help more if someone with better credit and thus a bigger credit line would make you an
authorized user on their card - particularly if it's an older
account.
You may have heard of the benefits of getting extra points by «adding an
authorized user» to your credit card
account — but what does that mean, what do you need to know to do it wisely, and how does it actually
help you maximize your points balances?
In some cases, if you have an insufficient credit history or bad credit, becoming an
authorized user can
help you build credit because the
account history may be reported on your credit report.
Being an
authorized user can
help a teen's credit score, but if the teen is removed as an
authorized user at some point in the future then this will shorten their average
account age, which is a negative factor in the eyes of credit rating agencies.
You can also
help their credit by making them an
authorized user on an
account with good standing.
It is important to mention that becoming an
authorized user will only
help your scores if you already have some primary credit in your name; if you do not the bureaus will disregard the
authorized user account until you open a primary line.
So, Kevin and Eli, now that you probably know more about piggybacking than you ever thought you would, you may want to simply consider the
authorized user option as an easy - to - implement, minimal - risk way to build or rebuild credit — whether or not you intend to use or
help manage the
account — and with an easy way out, should the relationship go bad.
Become an
authorized user on someone else's
account: As long as that person uses credit responsibly, this can
help you build your credit profile.
Next, some people choose to add
authorized users to their
accounts to
help the other person build their credit.
In June, Fair Isaac announced that its latest model of the FICO score software — FICO ’08 — would eliminate consideration of
authorized user accounts in computing scores and
help cripple the fraudsters.
Being added as an
authorized user may
help improve your spouse's credit score as long as that
account is in good standing with an excellent payment history and low credit utilization.
Many parents will add a child as an
authorized user on a credit
account, ensuring they have access to money in case of emergency or to
help them start building a responsible relationship with credit.
Piggybacking is a technique that allows consumers with good credit to
help boost other's credit scores by adding them as
authorized users on
accounts.
It was common for parents to add their children to their credit card
accounts as
authorized users in order to
help them establish credit histories.
Even a couple of months as an
authorized account user can quickly
help you to build up your credit score and credit history.
David Chung, managing director of CreditXpert, says the filter should also be helpful for consumers making the more traditional use of
authorized user accounts: Parents
helping their kids build credit on their own.
Additionally, if a loved one is willing to
help you out then you could be added as an
authorized user to an existing, positive credit card
account as well.
In June, Fair Isaac said its latest model of the FICO score software - FICO»08 - would eliminate consideration of
authorized user accounts in computing scores and
help cripple the fraudsters.
If you add someone who is struggling to build credit, for example, letting them become an
authorized user on your
account can
help thicken their credit report over time.
Authorized users: 3 common scenarios for sharing a card
account — Sharing a card
account with someone can
help them build credit, but it can also blow up in both of your faces... (See
Authorized users)
Video: 3 ways to
help your kids build credit — Add a child as an
authorized user, establish a checking
account, and
help them learn about money... (See Kids and credit)
Adding someone as an
authorized user to your
account, as noted above, is handy for
helping someone, like your child, build up credit or pay for expenses you plan to cover anyway.
I was once able to
help a client with a credit score around 680 get approved for both Chase Freedom cards when the only
accounts on their credit report were two
authorized user accounts (one was on a Chase card).
You may have heard of the benefits of getting extra points by «adding an
authorized user» to your credit card
account — but what does that mean, what do you need to know to do it wisely, and how does it actually
help you maximize your points balances?
Adding an
authorized user can
help that person establish credit, but you have to be careful, because the main
account holder is responsible for all the charges.
Or a cardholder might add a spouse as an
authorized user to
help keep finances tidied up in a single
account.