thatgrri3 wrote:
It is not illegal to be listed as an authorized user on someone's account. It's not a loophole either, because the CRA's set it up that way! However, when they do discontinue reporting AU's, then none of us will get a "spike" in our credit reports and there won't be a "loophole" to get it done either. While it's true that some might say that it is "not right" that someone can do that, that simply doesn't make it illegal. There are pros and cons to AU's, as well as situations when it is VERY appropriate.
Very well spoken. I commend you on your statement for the OP. While I am not sure what the laws are in Utah, I do agree that while it might not be right to do it for a higher score, it doesn't make it illegal. Yes, you are correct in stating that there are pros and cons to AU's, as well as situations when it is very appropriate. In my situation, I am a AU on a Bank of America CC. It is in my ex Fiecees' name. The account is closed now. It had a 10k limit. He opened the account for me to use while I was waiting on my disability to start. I charged up to like $9900 on it. The pros are proven in this situation. In good faith I had access to credit to pay bills and etc. At the time, I did not know that AU's get credit for that. I am very glad because he has helped rebuild my credit after ch 13 BK. Without the cc, I would not have made it until my SSD started. Even though we agreed it would be best to close the account when we spilt up, I have in good faith made every payment on it from the first payment due until now. I am down to $3400.00 and never late. This a legitimate TL credit report for me.
The cons are now...when Eq stops counting the AU's in scores then I will lose points on it. Then the other two CRA's will soon follow suit. So while I have in good faith paid this account with never a late payment, I lose credit for it.
While it may or may not be right to do it with family members or friends to help raise their scores, I see nothing wrong with it personality, but it is none of my business.
However, IMO I do think it is wrong, and should be illegal to pay a CCCS to add someone as a AU's on someone's report, as that is definitely false information. With that being said, I would say that this is the very reason why CRA's are going to stop giving points for AU's.
It's one of those catch 20 20's....those of us who don't shoplift, pay the price for those who do shoplift.