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Authorized user question

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Roo29
Member

Authorized user question

I am an authorized user on one of my husband's credit cards.  The util is high (71%), is this hurting MY credit? 

 

Would dropping this account from my credit report hurt me more than it would help?


Starting Score (2/12/16): EQ 641 TU 661
Current Score (2/12/16): EQ 641TU 661
Goal Score(6/1/16): EQ 700 TU 700


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Message 1 of 5
4 REPLIES 4
haulingthescoreup
Moderator Emerita

Re: Authorized user question

The util is high (71%), is this hurting MY credit? --most likely. That's crazy high util.

 

 

Would dropping this account from my credit report hurt me more than it would help? --no telling; we don't know what else you have going on.

 

What's your AAoA (average age of accounts)? How old is the AU card? (opened when) What other accounts do you have? What's the util on your own cards, not counting this one? Do you have any baddies? What are the negatives listed, in order, on screen 2 of your FICO score reports?

 

The handy thing about AU cards is that you can come off the account, ask that it be removed from your reports, pull your scores, and see what happens. If there isn't much change, and if it makes sense for your family finances for you to use the card, you can then get back on.

 

I hope for your hubby's sake that there's a plan to get the balance on that card down to $0. Smiley Happy

* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007
Message 2 of 5
Roo29
Member

Re: Authorized user question

It's being paid off as we speak...slowly, but it's getting there.  The good thing is, it's only one of 3 cards my husband carries a balance on.

 

AAoA is short, around 8 years.  The AU card is probably 4 or 5 years old.  My util is nothing.  I have a $300 Cap One card that has a zero balance.

 

I don't have any collections on my CR and I racked up some late payments on a student loan when I was on maternity leave and didn't know that payment was due.  I'm sending GW letters to try and help with those.

 

I'll call the card and have it removed and see what happens from there.  Hopefully, my score will go up.


Starting Score (2/12/16): EQ 641 TU 661
Current Score (2/12/16): EQ 641TU 661
Goal Score(6/1/16): EQ 700 TU 700


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 3 of 5
haulingthescoreup
Moderator Emerita

Re: Authorized user question

Well, the card is "younger" than your AAoA, so it doesn't help you there, and of course, the util definitely hurts.

 

The trick will be that you will be left with only one CC. It's possible that the AU card does help by representing a second revolving tradeline, although my guess is that it's still hurting more than helping. Your scores are surprisingly low for what you listed (lates on an SL), unless those are shiny new lates.

 

It's definitely worth seeing what will happen. And if your scores do jump afterwards, I think it's time to get a second card in your name.  Having just one CC leaves you pretty vulnerable to lender weirdness. Smiley Tongue

* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007
Message 4 of 5
MarineVietVet
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Authorized user question

I was wondering something else about the late payments. Are they 30 day lates? 60? 90? That can make a big difference in scoring and as HTSU said the more recent they are the more they hurt.

 

 

 

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 9/09 pulled by lender 802, EQ - 10/10-813, TU - 10/10-774

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

Message 5 of 5
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