How an Authorized User Works

[Anonymous]

If you become an authorized user on an account that's old...  I just saw in another post that being removed as an authorized user doesn't remove you from the CRs, that it'll mark it as closed.  Is that indeed how it works?  That once you are added as an authorized user, it's permanently a part of your reports, even if later removed?

[FireMedic1]

Each CCC acts differently: From DOC

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/removing-authorized-user-accounts-credit-report/

[Anonymous]

I think I didn't explain too well on this one.  What I mean is...  If someone makes me an authorized user on their card, but then removes it themselves through the account control panel or whatever, what happens then?  Is it removed from my reports, or left as a "closed" account?  For example, if someone I know has an account that is really old...maybe 30 years!  If it were added into my report, I believe that would be a benefit to me.  But if it were later removed, will the beneift be removed entirely, or would that then become my new credit age and improve my average?

[Remedios]

Some issuer leave it as closed account, others completely remove the tradeline. 

Link @FireMedic1 posted above tells you how issuer handles it and steps you can take if that's the desirable action.

I'm assuming you're hoping it stays 

[Anonymous]

Yes. Thank you. I did notice info saying it is harder to get off some than others, which would be good in this case, I suppose.

Is that indeed how it works, though? If the authorized account is older than my previous oldest account, will it really become my oldest account record and indeed improve my average account age? I assume even when closed.

[Anonymous]

My thinking was that when the account owner removed the authorization in account settings, it might initiate a removal from reports too.

[Remedios]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Yes. Thank you. I did notice info saying it is harder to get off some than others, which would be good in this case, I suppose.

Is that indeed how it works, though? If the authorized account is older than my previous oldest account, will it really become my oldest account record and indeed improve my average account age? I assume even when closed.

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It will, if the issuer does not remove it. 

[RobertEG]

The ability of a consumer to allow accounts of another to post to their credit report is not covered under the FCRA or any federal regs.

It is purely a reporting conconction created by the CRAs, and does not have a clear, published guidelines or regs as to how they are removed once an AU status is removed.  The only clear addressing under the common credit reporting manual used by the big-2 CRAs is that the ECOA code is changed from Authorized User to No Longer Responsible.

You will thus encounter differing practices by either the reporting creditor or the CRA when you request removal of an AU that vary from total removal to only closing of the accounts, but with continued inclusion in your credit report with then new ECOA designation that the account is not yours.