Question about Auth Users on card...

[Anonymous]

We've been curious about this since last year when I got my Chase card.  During the process of getting approved, I gave my social, address, etc.  The rep on the phone asked if I wanted any authorized users.  So I gave him my girlfriends name who happened to live at the same address.  That was the only question asked.  She ended up getting a card with her name on it as expected, but the account also ended up on her credit report.  I never gave her social or birthdate to the rep on the phone.

Considering the rammifications of adding an authorized user to an account (particularly if I were to have gotten a delinquency on the card), is this out of the ordinary?  Just seems odd that companies providing credit can find a report and put a tradeline on it without having anything other than a name and address... or are we completely missing something here?

[Jazzzy]

They likely matched it by address. It happens.

[cobaltnv]

CCC are happy to add AU so easily because it can increase use on the account which = $$ for them. They do not care much about who you want to give cards to since the Au's are not responsible for payment. If you are willing to provide a card to someone and be responsible for what they charge the ccc are happy to hand it out.

And I agree that it is a bit spooky that the account can find its way to the AU's CRA without a SS# or other info--but it happens al the time.

Cheers 

[tonsers]

It in not unusual for them to find someone by a matching address.  At one time, BofA asked my mom is she wanted an AU on her new card.  She said she'd like for me to be able to use it.  I hadn't lived at her address in years but BofA linked us in no time.  I thought it was a little creepy.