@CreditSeductress wrote:
The only way, in my opinion, to ever add someone as an authorized user is to add him/her/them, and not give him/her/them a card, unless you are comfortable paying for their debt. Don't give them ANY access to your accounts under any other circumstances, especially if they have a pattern of not paying their own bills.
It is strickly to be used to help boost or help someone get a head start on their credit history. I have 2 different situations set up. One where there is absolutely no Access (My Brother), and another where there is minimal access, on my terms (My 2 Sons).
3 examples:
My 2 Sons are both Authorized Users on 3 of my credit cards. I have no issue with this, as my youngest son never uses the card if I'm not in his presence. I carry the card in my purse at all times, and to let him be, "A Man", I'll let him pay for things with his card sometimes. Again, only in my presence, because I pay the bill, and I would've paid for it anyway, so no biggie.
My older Son who is in college does have use of one of his Authorized User cards. That's only because I'm prepared to pay the bill monthly. I gave him an American Express Authorized User card that I was able to lower the actual limit of $10,000.00 to $200.00 on his card. Now, if he spends $200.00 a month on that card, I can pay it. Thank God he doesn't use it often, but if he needs essentials from Wal-Mart while at school, he can get it. Again, no biggie.
Now, My Brother on the other hand, will Never Ever even lay his eyes on the credit card he's an Authorized User on. Did I say Never Ever...OK, just checking.
He's very irresponsible, and I Love him enough for us not to get into it over something I Know would happen in the future. He'd stick me, and he'd stick me good (with unnecessary debt), and act as if I did something wrong to him. So, I'll help you establish credit Buddy, but I won't help you destroy mine.
I agree there is always that one family member you want to help out ... but you can only go so far...
I get the doing it for the youngins... in my case my nephews and nieces are like sons and daughters .. I have none of my own.
My sister's son has no credit and just starting out. She does not have the best of credit, she is working on it (plus she is a single Mom) I added my nephew as an AU. I activated the card and sock drawyered it, he has no clue what-so-ever about the card. Me and my sister agreed he should not know he is an AU user on a card yet. In 6 months to a year we will tell him so he can apply for a credit card of his own. He is in a transition summer from High School to College... so to get acclimated and all.
Im wondering which cards allow you to limit the AU's spending on the card?
That is very interesting.
