Adding an AU with bad credit behavior

[W261w261]

If I put on my son as an AU on one of my Amex cards, and he continues his irresponsible credit ways, **but does not mess with my Amex account**, can that somehow come back to bite me, with Amex, or in any other way? Thx

[CreditCrusader]

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@W261w261 wrote:

If I put on my son as an AU on one of my Amex cards, and he continues his irresponsible credit ways, **but does not mess with my Amex account**, can that somehow come back to bite me, with Amex, or in any other way? Thx

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Forgive me for asking the obvious question, but why would you take the risk?

I love my kids, but I'd never allow one who was proven to be irresponsible with credit to even scratch the ability to torpedo my hard-earned credit.

Better to work with him to rebuild his own credit organically. It's never too late for him to earn that AMEX on his own!

[Anonymous]

His actions will not have any negative consequences on your credit. As long as you don't allow him to utilize the Amex. As long as your not directly affiliated with any accounts that are associated with him it won't matter. Unfortunately your positive accounts will so very little if anything to help his situation until he decides to do the right thing 

[Yasselife]

My experience has been with Chase; many yrs ago I added my ex-gf as AU to help her with her credit, her credit had many collections at the time and probably her habits have not change. I haven't had any issues with Chase because I always kept both cards, and I haven't bothered on calling chase to remove her because I don't mind helping her as long as it doesn't affect me.

[Jnbmom]

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@CreditCrusader wrote:

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@W261w261 wrote:

If I put on my son as an AU on one of my Amex cards, and he continues his irresponsible credit ways, **but does not mess with my Amex account**, can that somehow come back to bite me, with Amex, or in any other way? Thx

---

Forgive me for asking the obvious question, but why would you take the risk?

I love my kids, but I'd never allow one who was proven to be irresponsible with credit to even scratch the ability to torpedo my hard-earned credit.

Better to work with him to rebuild his own credit organically. It's never too late for him to earn that AMEX on his own!

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I have to agree here . I would not add him even if you have total control . He needs to address his issues and adding him won't really help his credit . It's great you want to help but I would just guide him and not add him to your account .

I love my kiddies help them every way possible but told them don't ever ask me to co-sign anything . Only child I would consider is our daughter she is beyond responsible and heck when she's finished  grad school she's going to make more than us😊which is always what you wanna see.

[simplynoir]

Well, the good news is if you decide to go through with this AMEX allows the primary a great deal of control as far what the AU's card can do. You can set limits to the lowest (think it's $300), lock the card, and have alerts set if all else fails

Do want to note, however, that your child will not inherit the age of your AMEX card if you add them. It will report as a new account on their reports

[Yasselife]

But his question is if it will affect him, not if he should do it. I'm certain it won't and it does help with scores/history, aaoa

[CreditCrusader]

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@Yasselife wrote:

But his question is if it will affect him, not if he should do it. I'm certain it won't and it does help with scores/history, aaoa

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It only takes one irresponsible act to damage credit history...and the AU doesn't have to be holding the card to do that damage.

So, the OP can take all the precautions he wants, but as long as someone is an AU, the potential for disaster exists...and unlike matters of fraud, he'll own the fallout because adding an AU is 100% voluntary.

[Yasselife]

And how could that be possible if the AU doesn't have the physical card/number or any information? (Mod cut - @Yasselife this piece cannot be discussed here per the myFICO Forums TOS), why would they if there's no risk?

you do know the cards get send to my address, right?

I am not doubting, I want to be informed as well because We share same situation 

[FinStar]

@W261w261 - you can add me as AU. I have good credit behavior 😜😇. Hopefully your limits are high enough 💀