Could Your Credit Scores Be Improved If You Are an Authorized User on a Credit Card?
January 26th, 2011, Posted in Other Ideas & Stuff, Saving MoneyHigh interest loans for bad credit are the number one pet peeve of most borrowers but because they don’t have good credit, they have no choice but get something like it in times of need. Almost all types of loans have exorbitant interest like auto loans for poor credit that is why everybody is looking for ways on how to build a better one.
If you know someone who is able to handle credit well and maintain it, then you might want to ask that person if you could be able to sign up as his or her authorized user on the card. You have to tell and promise them that you will absolutely do nothing that would harm their own credit scores. By becoming an authorized user, their behavior will affect your credit score and the same is true the other way around.
Not only should you promise but also deliver and keep your part of the bargain. Remember that this person is helping you and the least you can do is not fail their trust and destroy what they have worked on for a long time. Trust will become a big issue between the two of you therefore you have to be careful in using the card.
As an authorized user, you will not be responsible for the debt even if your name is on it. The only people who will be responsible for it would be the primary and joint account holders if there is one.
Just a quick reminder though, never apply for home loans while you are an authorized user. This will affect the approval process and you might be declined. If you are planning to get a home loan, stay on the card until your credit score has achieved a desirable range and opt out of the card after that.