Adding An Authorized User

[Anonymous]

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. 

[Cdnewmanpac]

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.

[jsickz32]

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

[Croselx]

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.

[Anonymous]

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@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.

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

[Croselx]

^ 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.

[patsfan1453]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[creditballer]

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@patsfan1453 wrote:

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

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is discover showing on her CR's? 

[BearOSO]

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.