Edited by Peggy BennettHow to Remove an Authorized User From Your Credit Card
Edited by Peggy Bennett
Quick Answer
- You can remove an authorized user from your credit card account by calling the card issuer or through your online account portal or mobile app, if available.
- Tell the authorized user before removing them since their credit scores can be impacted.
To remove an authorized user from your credit card, call the card issuer or update your account on the company's mobile app or website. Since the authorized user's credit score will likely be affected, make sure they know the change is coming so they can understand and prepare for its potential impact.
When you decide it's time to remove an authorized user, either because the arrangement isn't working or the user has strong enough credit to manage on their own, here's how to do it.
How to Remove an Authorized User From Your Credit Card
Follow these steps to make the change to your credit card account.
1. Request the Removal
First, call the credit card issuer's customer service number and ask for the authorized user to be removed. Some companies also let you make the change by logging in to your account online or using the company's mobile app. In general, the change is quick to make and will take effect right away.
2. Destroy the Card
Next, ask the credit card issuer for a new account number and credit card, since the former user may also have access to your previously shared account. This prevents the user from being able to continue to make purchases with your card. Ask the former authorized user to destroy their old credit card, and destroy yours, as well, when you get your new card.
3. Update Automatic Payments
If you make any automatic payments with your credit card, such as for utility bills, subscriptions or memberships, update your card number with those merchants so your payments continue. It's possible the merchant will update your credit card number automatically, but it's not a guarantee, so be sure to check before there's a potential lapse in bill payments.
4. Communicate With the Former Authorized User
When you've decided that removing an authorized user is the right move for you, let them know as soon as possible. That's because they may experience a credit impact. For example, if they had very little payment history, high credit utilization or poor credit in general before they became an authorized user, their credit score could dip again once they no longer benefit from your credit history.
Former authorized users do have other ways to improve their credit. For example, they could apply for a credit-builder loan or secured credit card.
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How Does Having an Authorized User Affect Your Credit?
The authorized user's activity can have a positive, neutral or negative impact on your credit, depending on their behavior. You, as the main cardholder, are ultimately responsible for making all credit card payments on the account. But if your authorized user makes a lot of charges, your credit utilization could grow, negatively affecting your credit score. And if they don't pay you each month for their charges—or you can't afford to cover theirs with your own money—you risk accruing a large balance and missing payments, which are two of the biggest contributors to a poor credit score.
How Does Removing an Authorized User Affect Your Credit?
Removing an authorized user could lower your credit utilization, since the user will no longer make purchases that increase the account's balance. That can have a positive impact on your score. You also may be more easily able to pay the full balance each month, which will decrease your amounts owed and further benefit your score.
When to Remove an Authorized User From Your Credit Card
There may be times when having an authorized user on your account does more harm than good. In these circumstances, consider removing an authorized user from your credit card:
- The authorized user is not respecting the spending limit you've set.
- The authorized user does not pay you for their charges as agreed upon.
- Your relationship with the authorized user changes and you would benefit from ending financial ties.
- The authorized user's credit has improved to the point that they can qualify for their own credit card, potentially with more perks.
- You are concerned about your finances and would like to limit the potential for debt to grow.
There may be other options besides removing the authorized user from the account. You may choose not to provide the authorized user with their own credit card, which means they'd benefit from your good credit habits without being able to make purchases on their own. Some credit card issuers let you put a hard limit on the spending authorized users are able to do, or you can lock their card so they can't make additional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
It's often not an easy decision to remove an authorized user from your credit card, especially because the person is likely a close friend or relative. But it's crucial to protect your finances and maintain control of your debt balances. That may mean having an honest conversation with the authorized user about your intentions and feeling empowered to make the call that's best for you.
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About the author
Brianna McGurran
Brianna McGurran is a freelance journalist and writing teacher based in Brooklyn, New York. Most recently, she was a staff writer and spokesperson at the personal finance website NerdWallet, where she wrote "Ask Brianna," a financial advice column syndicated by the Associated Press.
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