At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. This post may contain links and references to one or more of our partners, but we provide an objective view to help you make the best decisions. For more information, see our Editorial Policy.
Is an authorized user responsible for the debt? If an authorized user is removed from the credit card, can the credit card also be removed from the credit report? I also read somewhere that credit bureaus will not take into account authorized users for credit scores. Is that true?
- CHS
Dear CHS,
An authorized user is not responsible for the debt. However, authorized user accounts are often listed on an Experian credit report.
Please understand that the credit reporting companies report the history, but do not have the role to "take into account" what is reported. Such decisions are up to the users of the reports.
Most users rely on one or more scoring models to help evaluate the history. Credit score developers determine whether their scoring systems will include authorized user accounts in the calculation. Some credit scoring systems include authorized user accounts in the calculation and others do not.
If you are concerned about the impact on your credit history, you should contact the creditors and ask to be removed from the account.
Unlike being a joint account holder when you share responsibility for the debt, creditors will typically remove you as an authorized user upon request because you have no responsibility for payment. If you are no longer listed as an authorized user, Experian can dispute the account with your creditor at your request.
Thanks for asking.
The "Ask Experian" team