topic Re: Adding An Authorized User in Credit Cards

Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:16:48 GMT

I just added my friend onto my chase sapphire preferred as an authorized user in order to help him with his credit score. However they only asked for his name. So I'm wondering how will they know which "John Doe" it is in order for the card to show up as an account under his credit report.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Cdnewmanpac — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:42:29 GMT

Typically, the cra will take the name of the AU, the address listed on the account (likely yours) and then see if they already have a file with that name and address. If they find a match, they post the card to that account. There is other data they can use (same last name, other joint accounts, etc), but if this person doesn't live with you, isn't a first degree relative and doesn't share other accounts with you, the likelihood of reporting is pretty low. There are lenders that collect ssn and you can search the Internet for lists. there are companies out there that help strangers "buy" in as an authorized user to boosa their credit. Card issuers and cra hate this. So they have significantly restricted their matching criteria in an effort to discourage this.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

jsickz32 — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:49:16 GMT

i added my brother to my BofA card and they didnt ask for ssn and its reporting to his CR. he lives with me tho

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:51:48 GMT

I added my wife as an AU on 3 of my cards, WM, HD and Sears. WM is on its second statement and hasn't reported to her CR yet so I have almost no hope for that card to report. HD and Sears will take 2-3 weeks to confirm. My wife has no credit history so that might be the reason, but so far I think chances are pretty slim, at least for store cards.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:17:03 GMT

@Cdnewmanpac wrote:
Typically, the cra will take the name of the AU, the address listed on the account (likely yours) and then see if they already have a file with that name and address. If they find a match, they post the card to that account. There is other data they can use (same last name, other joint accounts, etc), but if this person doesn't live with you, isn't a first degree relative and doesn't share other accounts with you, the likelihood of reporting is pretty low. There are lenders that collect ssn and you can search the Internet for lists. there are companies out there that help strangers "buy" in as an authorized user to boosa their credit. Card issuers and cra hate this. So they have significantly restricted their matching criteria in an effort to discourage this.

+1. Anyone have any experience with a lender that asks for the authorized users ssn?

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:24:47 GMT

^ Probably bank credit cards ask for SSN (I asked my bank and they do the same procedure for AU and joint account) and other major CC providers like AMEX.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:37:46 GMT

I added my GF to my amex and it asked for a ssn, discover did not.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:39:25 GMT

You think I could call chase and ask them to report the card. My friend is also a chase customer and he could be standing next to me while I call to confirm his identity. I'm just trying to up his credit score because he's looking to take out a car loan in the near future.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 00:01:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I added my GF to my amex and it asked for a ssn, discover did not.

is discover showing on her CR's?

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 02:30:01 GMT

I was asked for SSN and name when adding a AU to my Chase Freedom. I have a checking/savings with them and the AU does not.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

HiLine — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 02:47:05 GMT

A common address is all information a CRA needs to identify the AU's credit profile.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

ceemee2203 — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:06:44 GMT

My mother added me as an AU to her Chase card (I've since been removed) and did not provide my SSN. She lives in NY and I live in CA. It showed up on my CR the next month.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

webhopper — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:58:54 GMT

I added my hubby as AU on chase; discover; and then amex. Amex asked for social and others did not. Discover and chase did not report until amex started reporting due to my husband not having our new address in his credit file yet to match up the information.

Re: Adding An Authorized User

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 05:33:42 GMT

Amex and City both ask for SSN, I know this as after 9 months in the country I had 9 years of credit history and a fico @720 and a credit line (ink AU and auto loan) for well over 100K.