topic Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account in General Credit Topics

late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:04:25 GMT

My husband and i got married a little over a year ago. About 6 months ago we decided to put me on his Target card. When I checked my score today, I noticed that the card has 3 late payments back in 2010. I have never been late on a payment (17 years) and it looks like this is about 14 points. If I wrote to the credit bureaus, would they be able to put a note in or something indicating the late payments were before it became a joint account or do I have to wait it out for the next 5 years until it drops off?

Thanks! LIsa

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

webhopper — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:27:07 GMT

My advice to you;

1. Remove yourself from the account as a joint cardholder

Or

2. Have your husband chat with Target about removing the lates, especially if there is a good reason for them (didn't get statement, unauthorized charges)

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

somotao — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:36:45 GMT

You might want to have your husband send a Goodwill Letter to Target to see if they will remove the lates.

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

pizzadude — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:13:30 GMT

If you can't get Target to GW the late pays then I would agree that you should probably remove yourself from the account.

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

westo12 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:31:26 GMT

You can remove yourself from a JOINT account? One that you aren't just a AU on??

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

pizzadude — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:42:11 GMT

@westo12 wrote:
You can remove yourself from a JOINT account? One that you aren't just a AU on??

I interpreted that the OP was added as an AU, but you're right, they did in fact say Joint account.

I don't believe that you can be taken off a joint account, but you certainly can be taken off if you are an AU.

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

westo12 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:54:57 GMT

She did say Joint Account, but if he added her after it was already opened, then she would be an AU I believe. Correct?

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

pizzadude — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:00:03 GMT

@westo12 wrote:
She did say Joint Account, but if he added her after it was already opened, then she would be an AU I believe. Correct?

Yep, exactly - that was the source of my confusion. I'm not sure if you can be added jointly after the account has already been opened in one person's name....

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

tisch0791 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:47:05 GMT

Once you remove yourself as an AU, does the history on that card get removed from your credit reports or does it stay on up until the point where you asked to be removed?

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

westo12 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 23:04:51 GMT

Pretty sure the entire account is removed.

@tisch0791 wrote:
Once you remove yourself as an AU, does the history on that card get removed from your credit reports or does it stay on up until the point where you asked to be removed?

Re: late payments effecting score when done before it became a joint account

tisch0791 — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 01:49:09 GMT

Hmmm so it could actually benefit someone if they needed to show less debt on their report? Good to know!