Bogdan Roberts, Credit Cards Moderator
@bogdan_roberts
No, an authorized user is not legally responsible for credit card debt. Only the primary accountholder is responsible for bill payments, regardless of who made charges with the card. So, the debt incurred exclusively falls on the shoulders of primary cardholders. As such, this relationship requires both parties to lay out their own usage ground rules.
Key Things to Know About Authorized Users on a Credit Card
- Becoming an authorized user offers a path towards building credit, as most major credit card companies report account information for both primary account holders and authorized users.
- Authorized users are not responsible for making payments. That obligation belongs to the primary cardholder.
- If they suspect account mismanagement that can lead to credit score damage, authorized users can contact the credit card issuer to request their removal from the account. They can also dispute the damaging information to have it removed from their own credit report.
- Generally, authorized users may earn rewards, make payments, and report lost or stolen cards. They cannot redeem rewards (unless the primary cardholder allows it), request credit limit increases, or close the account.
Ultimately, authorized users can request removal from the account online or by contacting the issuer’s customer service department. The primary accountholder can also remove authorized users.
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read full answer by Chip Lupo, Credit Card WriterDid we answer your question?
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